Messages

Alex Smith is off to Washington, contracted to them for the next 5 seasons. First missing piece of the QB jigsaw in place.

[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.

Worrying

[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.

Full time

Derry 2-14
Westmeath 2-17

Derry had a penalty saved in additional time to level it.

[Joey Dunlop multiple world champion]

McIlroy O Neill Higgins AP McCoy Dunwoody Joey and Robbie Dunlop...out of that list only Rory McIlroy and Martin O'Neill would be known at international level. I've no chip on my shoulder, just merely pointed out that there wasn't a GAA player in that list when there are numerous examples as equally successful as some mentioned on that list.

Jeez, that some nonsense. Alex Higgins not known internationally??

Joey Dunlop was 5 time world champion in Formula One TT. Events held all over Europe and in Japan.

Go to an American and ask about Alex Higgins? Go to a German ask about Tony McCoy. Even go over to England and ask about Joey Dunlop....the looks of confusion will soon make my point.

Would an english man know all the top class line backers in the NFL? but Americans would find it strange you dont know any! When you are winning things internationally like Higgins (twice world champion) and Joey Dunlop multiple world champion then I think and just hear me out, the clue is in World 

Not to mention our famous racing driver in Eddie Irvine! probably Americans wouldnt know him but hey Americans voted in Trump

Was he? Genuine question as it wouldn't be my thing and never looked him up. From what I'm reading it seems like he was a TT champion but not on the list of World Champions I recognize (Valentino Rossi etc.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Grand_Prix_motorcycle_racing_World_Champions_by_year

Maybe he was a road racing champion as opposed to tracks if that's the possible difference?

When you were looking at it did it not say Formula 1 TT World Championships 5 in a row?

Is a Darts player the 'World Champion' if he wins the BDO championship? Is a Formula E World Champion as good as a Formula 1 one?  I've stated it was a genuine question, I know feck all about motorcycles so this TT championship to me could be the same as saying someone who owns one of those secondary boxing titles is a 'World Champion'.

[Joey Dunlop multiple world champion]

McIlroy O Neill Higgins AP McCoy Dunwoody Joey and Robbie Dunlop...out of that list only Rory McIlroy and Martin O'Neill would be known at international level. I've no chip on my shoulder, just merely pointed out that there wasn't a GAA player in that list when there are numerous examples as equally successful as some mentioned on that list.

Jeez, that some nonsense. Alex Higgins not known internationally??

Joey Dunlop was 5 time world champion in Formula One TT. Events held all over Europe and in Japan.

Go to an American and ask about Alex Higgins? Go to a German ask about Tony McCoy. Even go over to England and ask about Joey Dunlop....the looks of confusion will soon make my point.

Would an english man know all the top class line backers in the NFL? but Americans would find it strange you dont know any! When you are winning things internationally like Higgins (twice world champion) and Joey Dunlop multiple world champion then I think and just hear me out, the clue is in World 

Not to mention our famous racing driver in Eddie Irvine! probably Americans wouldnt know him but hey Americans voted in Trump

Was he? Genuine question as it wouldn't be my thing and never looked him up. From what I'm reading it seems like he was a TT champion but not on the list of World Champions I recognize (Valentino Rossi etc.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Grand_Prix_motorcycle_racing_World_Champions_by_year

Maybe he was a road racing champion as opposed to tracks if that's the possible difference?

Derry has the oak leafs because Doire means oak grove. When St Colmcille founded Derry it was an oak tree forest.
The crest was designed by former Derry manager Frank Kearney who sadly passed away a couple months ago. Frank led Derry to Ulster titles in 75&76.

The Club Players Association seem to think it's a great idea, "Well done Derry GAA" on their Facebook page with a link to an Irish News article on the new changes.

Folks let this proposed format have a chance.
IMO Stephen Barker is a progressive man, an intelligent man, with a vision of what clubs and club players needs.
He was playing club football last season and has played club football in the intermediate and junior grades throughout his career.
The changes made over the last couple of years to club games structuring, through his guidance have been generally well received .
Croporate Croke Park are not making things easy for the likes of the Stephen B's of Ireland.
Maybe folks here would want the Master back.

Couldn't agree less.

It is clear that this is not being well received. It is utter nonsense to suggest that this will benefit club players, it completely flies in the face of any received wisdom to reduce the number of competitive games for clubs and then label this as in the interests of players. A recipe for even more lads to head off to America or elsewhere for the summer. Or take up another sport which will provide them with an odd game.

If these changes were in the best interests of clubs why were they not discussed at County Convention? Don't know Stephen Barker at all but have heard good reports about him. If you are reading this Stephen you have fumbled the ball with this one.

I've spoken to numerous club players about this from multiple clubs and none of them seem as bothered by this as the posters on here. A few a bit more worried about relegation than they were but no mention of the number of fixtures. The one thing they did mention was why change the league but keep the number of championship teams the same? Surely if the county board are looking to make us more competitive in Ulster at Intermediate and Junior have Div 1 play senior, 2 play Intermediate and 3 play Junior (or 1A, 1B and 2 as I had heard they are being called).

So you have spoken to a lot of people in a lot of clubs about this matter, sounds like you have conducted an impromptu survey, and a few of them are worried about relegation and all[?] of them are concerned that the championship numbers stay the same but none of them have any concerns about the number of games they get to play.

With scores like this on the bullshitometer you are definitely county board material lol

Around ten people from a few clubs. No survey. A few were more worried about possible relegation, yes. No, only a couple mentioned the championship and league structures being different but I thought it was a valid point and so raised it. Correct, not one of the people I spoke to mentioned the number of games - Note, not all the players I spoke to play senior football (in fact the majority don't) and so the number of games would have been less of a factor due to the already smaller leagues in Div2 and 3. Perhaps the fact that the number of games in the coming season isn't changing and that's what they are focused on meant that it wasn't at the forefront of their mind. If you think I'm making stuff up to post on here then good luck to you but the views of the players that I spoke to at least haven't been represented on here.

Folks let this proposed format have a chance.
IMO Stephen Barker is a progressive man, an intelligent man, with a vision of what clubs and club players needs.
He was playing club football last season and has played club football in the intermediate and junior grades throughout his career.
The changes made over the last couple of years to club games structuring, through his guidance have been generally well received .
Croporate Croke Park are not making things easy for the likes of the Stephen B's of Ireland.
Maybe folks here would want the Master back.

Couldn't agree less.

It is clear that this is not being well received. It is utter nonsense to suggest that this will benefit club players, it completely flies in the face of any received wisdom to reduce the number of competitive games for clubs and then label this as in the interests of players. A recipe for even more lads to head off to America or elsewhere for the summer. Or take up another sport which will provide them with an odd game.

If these changes were in the best interests of clubs why were they not discussed at County Convention? Don't know Stephen Barker at all but have heard good reports about him. If you are reading this Stephen you have fumbled the ball with this one.

I've spoken to numerous club players about this from multiple clubs and none of them seem as bothered by this as the posters on here. A few a bit more worried about relegation than they were but no mention of the number of fixtures. The one thing they did mention was why change the league but keep the number of championship teams the same? Surely if the county board are looking to make us more competitive in Ulster at Intermediate and Junior have Div 1 play senior, 2 play Intermediate and 3 play Junior (or 1A, 1B and 2 as I had heard they are being called).

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

Maybe clubs should put more emphasis on these competitions considering the lack of competitive games compared to training that is apparent.

As above if you can spare any distance at all stay at the Roe Park Hotel near Limavady.

[If I'm reading that right]

If I'm reading that right, you're advocating buying Sánchez to play him as a no.9. Even though he's a roaming, hard working player who is at his best when facing the goal. And you'd happily pay £200k a week for this too, and drop £75m Lukaku and £40m Martial to make room, because "he's better".

Unbelievable Jeff.

You aren't. I did advocate buying Sanchez, still think this is an obvious no brainer. I didn't advocate buying Sanchez as a 9. I said I would be surprised to see him play as a 9 for United. Two different things.

I think if he signed Mourinho could play him as a 9 especially away from home against the big teams. In which case yes, I would envisage Lukaku being dropped for some of these games. Martial wouldn't have to be dropped.

As I said I think it's a no brainer. Any of the top Premier league teams should look to sign him if they have the chance.

where will he play at United? I think he's a great player, I was hoping Liverpool would get him when Suarez left.

I have no idea why United weren't in for him when he joined Arsenal, United were always linked with him before he went to Barca but United didn't have money during that period to compete.

Its hard to know as United are desperate for a right sided attacking player but Sanchez looks at his best roaming from the left. He'd certainly be the main man at OT and its hard to imagine that been the case at City. He's been one of the best players in the league since he arrived so it would be crazy United weren't trying to buy him.

City are trying to pick him  up on the cheap hoping he "wants to play for Pep". United should forget about the contract situation and think how much would they be willing to pay to acquire him if he had 3 years left on his contract and then throw the money they save in transfer fees on him into his salary.

Top class player

Do United really need him though? Mkitariyan/Zlatan/Rahsford/Lukaku/Martial/Lingard/Pogba/Mata are all excellent attacking players in their own right.

Is the issue not more with the way United play against the bigger teams in terms of formation/tactics more so than the players they have at their disposal?

Yeah, he's better currently than all those players on that list bar possibly Pogba so you get him if you have the chance. I think that's a no brainer.
Formation/tactics is another thing but I think he needs to keep Pogba ahead of the two defensive midfielders. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Sanchez played as a 9 if United signed him.

I think Fermanagh or Westmeath will get one of the promotion places, Derry could struggle without their Slaughneil players available and Armagh have had a large number of withdrawals from their squad but they should be still knocking on the door, i'll be shocked if it's not a last minute, last game outcome for promotion. Def will be a tight division alright.

Fermanagh
Armagh
Derry
Westmeath
Longford
Sligo
Wexford
Offaly

Please don't get offended if i have your team in or around the bottom as i genuinely haven't a clue on anything about Wexford, Sligo, Offaly and Longford. Wexford could well get promoted...lol. It's such a tight division if i do this again tomorrow i'd have teams in a different place. Sligo and Longford are usually strong at home, dunno how Wexford are doing and there is nothing between the other teams...Looking forward to it all the same

I agree with you, possibly flipping us and Westmeath, otherwise what I would have posted myself. I think promotion will be the aim but we'll just fall short without the Slaughtneil contingent.