McKenna Cup 2024

[tyrone08]

Dirty enough stamp there by the Derry player
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeMa5j5m/

[seanyb]

The tyronies in some form on here tonight, relax lads 

[tyrone08]

The tyronies in some form on here tonight, relax lads 

You wanna ignore the stamp then crack on.

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

The tyronies in some form on here tonight, relax lads 

You wanna ignore the stamp then crack on.

Probably coached by the assistant manager.

[square_ball]

The tyronies in some form on here tonight, relax lads 

You wanna ignore the stamp then crack on.

Probably coached by the assistant manager.

Good omen for Derry maybe. Come back from a suspension for stamping and win an All Ireland. Those Tyrone lads leaving no stone unturned to bring success to Derry.

[Norm-Peterson]

I think Jimmy misses Rory Gallagher

[Derryman forever]

The tyronies in some form on here tonight, relax lads 

You wanna ignore the stamp then crack on.

Probably coached by the assistant manager.

Have to be.
Derry were never like that before.

[JoG2]

From flying coming into the final the Donegal players tonight looked like they were carrying a sack of stones on their backs. Looks like McGuinness focus was fully on the Cork game next week.

Emmm....then why not start a 2nd string if that's the case and not risk injury to key players before the league starts? Donegal Laid their stall out early and were well up for the game, alot of pushing and dragging off the ball, late hits, they wanted to win. Botton line is they're just not at the same level as Derry atm, which is completely understandable. They'll be in a much better place come championship.
Donegal's new keeper is some find, cool, composed and has a serious kick. Patton has his work cut out for him.
Decent enough game in poor conditions, will stand to both teams.

[Norm-Peterson]

The tyronies in some form on here tonight, relax lads 

You wanna ignore the stamp then crack on.

Probably coached by the assistant manager.

I found a good photo of Derry's assistant manager with Tohill.
http://inpho.ie/media/pyzb_-UIoN62riI6zuRfCw..a

He went to school in Magherafelt some may not know.

[J70]

From flying coming into the final the Donegal players tonight looked like they were carrying a sack of stones on their backs. Looks like McGuinness focus was fully on the Cork game next week.

Emmm....then why not start a 2nd string if that's the case and not risk injury to key players before the league starts? Donegal Laid their stall out early and were well up for the game, alot of pushing and dragging off the ball, late hits, they wanted to win. Botton line is they're just not at the same level as Derry atm, which is completely understandable. They'll be in a much better place come championship.
Donegal's new keeper is some find, cool, composed and has a serious kick. Patton has his work cut out for him.
Decent enough game in poor conditions, will stand to both teams.

Mulreany was with Harps at the soccer for a season or two. Been mostly playing club football for St Nauls though. Late bloomer at this level.

[OakLeaf]

Derry really looked like a division one team tonight. Very comfortable. I thought Donegal would edge it but they weren't in the same league as Derry tonight.

[ONeill]

Can't see Derry being stopped by anyone this year. Throw in the Glen lads and they are on the cusp of a dynasty.

[STREET FIGHTER]

LOL stamp??

Soft as fcuk...

[93-DY-SAM]

If Donegal had more focus in putting the ball over the bar than trying to rough things up it could well have been a different story. They pressed well on Derry in the first half and caused us problems. We put in a great shift in the second half to close it out.

Good to keep winning habit going. Baker and Gilmore have been good additions and game time will stand to the lads. Plenty for work for Mickey and Horse yet but we'll see what the next few weeks brings. Lord bless us but it's only January.

[tbrick18]

Am I the only one who thought the ref was totally inept?
He was completely erratic with his decisions for both sides, when he blew the whistle I'd no idea who he was going to award a free to.
I think he was largely to blame for the mini melee. If he took control of the game and cut out the off the ball stuff and pulled donegal on the obvious rough house tactics on mcguigan, Rogers and mckinless, that row never happens.

I wasn't close enough to see the incidents for the red cards but the first red everyone around me thought it was for donegal until we saw Rogers going off.
Not saying the reds were right or wrong as I couldn't see, but Rogers is not a dirty player so it's hard to imagine he deliberately stamped on someone.

Ref aside, Derry actually were by far the better side.
I was expecting more from donegal, even though they are not full strength.
The tactics for them seemed to be around stopping derry rather than playing their own game and it didn't work.

Lots of wides for both sides but conditions were awful so I wouldn't read much into that.

Donegal looked dangerous at times on the attack when they ran the ball but they didn't do it often enough to really trouble derry.

Derry were comfortable despite what the scoreboard said.
Murphy looks a class act.
Gilmore improved since the Armagh game and it was good to get  game time into the legs of McCloskey,  but he was rusty.

I think the panel is definitely 3 to 4 players stronger than last year with Baker, Higgins, gilmore and murphy standing out.

Mckenna cup has been great prep for the league for both sides.
I'd imagine donegal will improve for the championship,  but if they realistically want promotion, they'll need to improve a lot and quickly.