Messages

Going to ask that myself; saying we spent a fortune  on the place apparently

£12.5m apparently

One idiot's actions (or perceived actions in this case) shouldn't tarnish the club he plays for.

Well that depends, did the club wash their hands of him or did they go crying to the county board to get his suspension lessened and give him the all clear to keep representing them?

Hahahahaha, that's rich coming from a loup man. Did your club wash their hands of any players in recent years? Some of them belonged in Maghaberry. Ballinsacreen club backed a player they believed to be innocent. No different to what any other club would do. So unless you were at the match, saw what happened, and have something more to offer other than useless antagonism, pipe down.

Is that a no then? Pipe down? Or what? You'll send McSorley after me with a hurl? Is that the Draperstown way now?

Dirty wee club with a dirty wee mentality standing by a dirty wee player.

Classy comment, from a classy lad, from the least classy club in Derry.

One idiot's actions (or perceived actions in this case) shouldn't tarnish the club he plays for.

Well that depends, did the club wash their hands of him or did they go crying to the county board to get his suspension lessened and give him the all clear to keep representing them?

Hahahahaha, that's rich coming from a loup man. Did your club wash their hands of any players in recent years? Some of them belonged in Maghaberry. Ballinsacreen club backed a player they believed to be innocent. No different to what any other club would do. So unless you were at the match, saw what happened, and have something more to offer other than useless antagonism, pipe down.

["Ballsy hurling commentary for a Magherafelt man. Look, I've said it on here before. Every club has its idiots. The man you are referring to is one of them. A knob on the field and a bigger one off it. Irrespective of his reputation, it's important to stick to the facts. I know what the facts are, because I was there, and I saw what happened. Did you see the incident?[/b] " This quote from me in early September still applies. PJ is a good lad, and it's a terrible injury. Best of luck to him in his recovery. If the injury was caused in malice, it's abhorrent, and the player should never be allowed on a pitch again. But being at the game, it looked like a total accident to me. Most supporters from both clubs shared this consensus. One idiot's actions (or perceived actions in this case) shouldn't tarnish the club he plays for.]

Conor McSorley from draoerstown was the culprit as per usual sent off more times than I care to remember. He uses thuggery to hide the fact he's not talented and has no spine for the 50/50 ball. I would assume draprstown should have handled this sort of behaviour as well as the county board as it doesn't shed great light on the club! Best of luck to PJ in his recovery from a horrific incident

"Ballsy hurling commentary for a Magherafelt man. Look, I've said it on here before. Every club has its idiots. The man you are referring to is one of them. A knob on the field and a bigger one off it. Irrespective of his reputation, it's important to stick to the facts. I know what the facts are, because I was there, and I saw what happened. Did you see the incident?[/b] " This quote from me in early September still applies. PJ is a good lad, and it's a terrible injury. Best of luck to him in his recovery. If the injury was caused in malice, it's abhorrent, and the player should never be allowed on a pitch again. But being at the game, it looked like a total accident to me. Most supporters from both clubs shared this consensus. One idiot's actions (or perceived actions in this case) shouldn't tarnish the club he plays for.

Fair enough - removed.

I'm not entirely sure what line I crossed given the criticism handed out here daily.

I thought this board was democratic lads? Freedom of speech and all that.

Perhaps a bit harsh on Danny of course, but cornerback didn't need to remove the post.

It wasn't that controversial, and he was providing juicy gossip on the matter at hand, even if it turns out to be bullsh*t.

[promotion, we need to win all our remaining games]

Going on scoreline alone, our score would have won a lot of matches.
Defensively we are still all over the place. No kickout strategy and a lack of cohesion (albeit early days and minus the Slaughtneil defenders).
For any hope of promotion, we need to win all our remaining games I feel, which is a big ask.

I really don't understand the omission of Heavron, Bell etc. I'd love to hear an explanation from anyone close to these players or management.

Kielt sent off again. I do pick on him a bit on here, but he really does let the team down time and again with discipline and inconsistency on level of effort.

Not a promising start to the year or to McErlain's term in charge.  Doom and gloom on the first weekend of the league.

No doubt, come championship I'll still think we can pull something out of the bag. When will I learn though. lol.

Personally I think we have no chance of promotion, but at the same time think we will have a bit too much to be relegated to division 4.

Could not make yesterdays game due to a family christening but had a fair idea from the team line up/three McKenna cup games I was at that Derry weren't going to get a result yesterday. Johnston is not a full back (Plays WHB/MF for his club), but at the same time when you look at the bench there is no real full back on the panel, this will be a big problem until the Slaughtneil men are back. Mooney, who also I rate highly and think will be a great addition to the county panel over the next few years is also not a corner back.

Damien McErlaine was nearly caught out last year in minor AI semi-final when he let the Dublin no.11 have the freedom of the park,  then in final gave Clifford acres of space. I feel he is defensively naïve. Westmeath scored 2-17 against us, a team that came up from division 4 last year, I worry for what waits for us further down the line if we don't get sorted defensively ASAP.


As for Heavron & Bell, I can tell you neither were asked to be apart of the panel this year.

This to me is as bad as his defensive naivety. Heavron has been one of the best, if not the best, player in the county this past few years and would walk on our first 15. Bell is good enough for at least a squad place too.

As posted above, what was scored would win us a lot of games and hopefully the Slaughtneil defenders coming back will boost our defense. Back line is weak looking at present with no real full back and not enough out and out defenders. Anyone know what the story is with D McBride, G McKinless and O Duffy? All not with Slaughtneil and could offer something, if available, in my opinion.

Anyway I think we'll stay in Division 3. Should have too much for Sligo, Offaly and Wexford without really threatening promotion either. Next game is important to get back on track, away to Longford who are somewhat of a bogie team for us.

Dermot McBride is riddled with knee problems and has a hard time maintaining fitness because of this. No idea what the story is with Danny Heavron? Can anyone shed light on whether there was a fall out? Has to have been a reason other than footballing matters, because he's a class act and would walk onto the team as previously mentioned.

Heavron was never asked up or named on the initial training panel at the start of the season, he had received no contact from management at all regarding his situation. He then received a phone call from Damien McErlaine about a month later saying he was not in his plans this year because he could not find a position for him on the team and he was going with a youthful panel.

I am led to believe (from a very close & reliable source) that Heavron and McErlaine have never fallen out at club level and there is no previous rift between the two and that phone call is the only contact the two have had since McErlaine has taken the senior post.

Christ. You have to hope that Damien knows what he's doing.

[promotion, we need to win all our remaining games]

Going on scoreline alone, our score would have won a lot of matches.
Defensively we are still all over the place. No kickout strategy and a lack of cohesion (albeit early days and minus the Slaughtneil defenders).
For any hope of promotion, we need to win all our remaining games I feel, which is a big ask.

I really don't understand the omission of Heavron, Bell etc. I'd love to hear an explanation from anyone close to these players or management.

Kielt sent off again. I do pick on him a bit on here, but he really does let the team down time and again with discipline and inconsistency on level of effort.

Not a promising start to the year or to McErlain's term in charge.  Doom and gloom on the first weekend of the league.

No doubt, come championship I'll still think we can pull something out of the bag. When will I learn though. lol.

Personally I think we have no chance of promotion, but at the same time think we will have a bit too much to be relegated to division 4.

Could not make yesterdays game due to a family christening but had a fair idea from the team line up/three McKenna cup games I was at that Derry weren't going to get a result yesterday. Johnston is not a full back (Plays WHB/MF for his club), but at the same time when you look at the bench there is no real full back on the panel, this will be a big problem until the Slaughtneil men are back. Mooney, who also I rate highly and think will be a great addition to the county panel over the next few years is also not a corner back.

Damien McErlaine was nearly caught out last year in minor AI semi-final when he let the Dublin no.11 have the freedom of the park,  then in final gave Clifford acres of space. I feel he is defensively naïve. Westmeath scored 2-17 against us, a team that came up from division 4 last year, I worry for what waits for us further down the line if we don't get sorted defensively ASAP.


As for Heavron & Bell, I can tell you neither were asked to be apart of the panel this year.

This to me is as bad as his defensive naivety. Heavron has been one of the best, if not the best, player in the county this past few years and would walk on our first 15. Bell is good enough for at least a squad place too.

As posted above, what was scored would win us a lot of games and hopefully the Slaughtneil defenders coming back will boost our defense. Back line is weak looking at present with no real full back and not enough out and out defenders. Anyone know what the story is with D McBride, G McKinless and O Duffy? All not with Slaughtneil and could offer something, if available, in my opinion.

Anyway I think we'll stay in Division 3. Should have too much for Sligo, Offaly and Wexford without really threatening promotion either. Next game is important to get back on track, away to Longford who are somewhat of a bogie team for us.

Dermot McBride is riddled with knee problems and has a hard time maintaining fitness because of this. No idea what the story is with Danny Heavron? Can anyone shed light on whether there was a fall out? Has to have been a reason other than footballing matters, because he's a class act and would walk onto the team as previously mentioned.

No, they shouldn't. The clubs would be better off campaigning to change the league structure. The Larkin Cup has never been, and will never be, a competition clubs take seriously. Do you know who won it last year (without googling)? I don't, and I'm pretty sure most people on here don't know either. The current league structure makes no sense for players, and clubs would be better off having their say about that rather than treating the Larkin Cup like another couple of league games.

A couple of seasons ago the County Board had it spot on. First year of the straight knock out championship. All league games played most weeks, and league finished before the championship first round. Left clubs a couple of weeks to focus purely on championship.

Now it's gone to the dogs.

The Larkin Cup is a load of shite lads, lets be honest.

For the attention of my good friend "the ticklemister" and like -  minded historians.

Sean Larkin of Drumboe fame was born in Bellagherty in the parish of Ballinderry.His younger brother Paddy won a County Championship medal with   Ballinderry in 1927 and another one with the Loup, where he taught for many years, in 1936. When he was County Chairman in  1942 he refereed the County final between Magherafelt and Glenullin. The game  took place in Dungiven.The then County secretary  was future GAA President Paddy MacFlynn. Paddy MacFlynn was also playing for the Rossas that day.When he indulged in over robust play the County chairman had no hesitation in sending him off!They both travelled to and came home from the match together!The following week they again travelled together for the CCCCC meeting of the time.(The County secretary addressed the meeting telling them all which rule he had broken and what his suspension should be.He then sat outside the door  when, on the recommendation of his friend the County Chairman,  he was duly suspended!)

They remained firm and loyal friends for the rest of their lives.These South Derry men were made of stern stuff.

Incidentally Sean Larkin is buried in the Cemetery beside St Patrick's Church in the Loup.

Fantastic stuff.

Heard last night that the SF league starts early April, running until May, with all of June and the July fortnight free. Championship starting on the second week of September. No idea if true or not, but cannot see the sense in stretching the season out like that! All depends on the county team I suppose, but I can't see them having a long run this summer (I hope I'm wrong). Why keep lads waiting until September until SFC?

[Screen - 1 off (if not both) Donnelly/Dillon you'd imagine will leave after they had a couple of fall outs this year.]

May be a bit early for this but anyone know of any club managerial changes for next year?

Bellaghy, Ballinderry, Kilrea, Lavey, Greenlough all sticking with their managers
Screen - 1 off (if not both) Donnelly/Dillon you'd imagine will leave after they had a couple of fall outs this year.
Swatragh, Magherafelt and Loup management teams have all left since last year but heard no news on anyone coming in.
Gary Coleman has left Ballymaguigan with Paddy Downey coming in.

Explain.....

[Personally would love to see it]

May be a bit early for this but anyone know of any club managerial changes for next year?

High stool chat of Ciaran Meenagh and Marty Boyle returning to Screen. Personally would love to see it, but it's probably a load of balls.

Haven't heard of any other appointments.

Strange comment after Screen getting to County final Phil??

On the face of it, yes.

However, Screen got to the County Final because of the effort and performances of players, not the management IMO.

Thought we were a better outfit under Meenagh and Boyle (who also got Screen to a County Final), and on a personal note, I have a lot of time for those two men.

May be a bit early for this but anyone know of any club managerial changes for next year?

High stool chat of Ciaran Meenagh and Marty Boyle returning to Screen. Personally would love to see it, but it's probably a load of balls.

Haven't heard of any other appointments.

What happened the minor hurling final, I heard Lynch's won this but I see on Derry website that they conceded, maybe it's a typo?

Nash was absolutely disgraceful I heard.