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If u18 was introduced this year instead of u17s, would one not just replace the other in the calendar or am I missing something here?

With split season club championship now runs roughly from mid july to September.
U17 can run alongside this as all u17s are all ineligible to play senior.
If minor moves to U18 it cant realistically run alongside senior as those in their last year at this age would now be eligible for senior.

This is why I asked our friend keyser when in the calendar he would fit in this age group

So still no answer keyser just more and more avoidance and BS Wasn't really expecting much more from someone who's first instinct was to judge and insult.
For what it's worth I would be in favour of a move to the u18 grade if it was possible to find an appropriate place for in the calendar.

Given the feeling from grass roots in the county how has there been such a landslide vote in favour of keeping the odd age groups again this year??

AFAIK it was explained that if it did go back to even grade this year, then the U18 competition would have to be finished up by June (similar timeframe to current U19 competition). This is because of the split club/county season, plus the decoupling at 17 which would allow 18 years to play Adult football.

This would mean the problem group of the 17+ year olds would still be left more or less idle after June if they aren't deemed good enough / not interested in going to Senior / Reserve.

Looking at the reaction on twitter you'd think the county board had concocted some masterplan to hoodwink everybody into voting odd this season. Goes back to even numbers next year with everybody's blessing and gives the CCC time to plan out a better fixture schedule to suit all.

U17 not really the problem as its an age group which works well when decoupled from senior. The problem is the next age group after this. If clubs are so worried about player development then they need to be willing to play in an u19/20 competition minus their players who are involved with the seniors. Moving back to u18 next year without decoupling will meerly kick the can down the road.

You sound exactly like the type of person who sits on a committee and comes up with astoundingly stupid decisions like these without a single thought of what the negative consequences will be.

And then in the face of all evidence to the contrary continue to justify that bullshit decision with a cocktail of word nonsense such as the above.

Lovely stuff there Keyser. One question for you and no BS. When would you play u18?

Your question merely serves to reinforce my point that from your perspective the administrators are the most important people here, not the players.

Knew i would get some BS rather than an answer. Stick to complaining about everything rather than ever coming up with a solution.

Given the feeling from grass roots in the county how has there been such a landslide vote in favour of keeping the odd age groups again this year??

AFAIK it was explained that if it did go back to even grade this year, then the U18 competition would have to be finished up by June (similar timeframe to current U19 competition). This is because of the split club/county season, plus the decoupling at 17 which would allow 18 years to play Adult football.

This would mean the problem group of the 17+ year olds would still be left more or less idle after June if they aren't deemed good enough / not interested in going to Senior / Reserve.

Looking at the reaction on twitter you'd think the county board had concocted some masterplan to hoodwink everybody into voting odd this season. Goes back to even numbers next year with everybody's blessing and gives the CCC time to plan out a better fixture schedule to suit all.

U17 not really the problem as its an age group which works well when decoupled from senior. The problem is the next age group after this. If clubs are so worried about player development then they need to be willing to play in an u19/20 competition minus their players who are involved with the seniors. Moving back to u18 next year without decoupling will meerly kick the can down the road.

You sound exactly like the type of person who sits on a committee and comes up with astoundingly stupid decisions like these without a single thought of what the negative consequences will be.

And then in the face of all evidence to the contrary continue to justify that bullshit decision with a cocktail of word nonsense such as the above.

Lovely stuff there Keyser. One question for you and no BS. When would you play u18?

Given the feeling from grass roots in the county how has there been such a landslide vote in favour of keeping the odd age groups again this year??

AFAIK it was explained that if it did go back to even grade this year, then the U18 competition would have to be finished up by June (similar timeframe to current U19 competition). This is because of the split club/county season, plus the decoupling at 17 which would allow 18 years to play Adult football.

This would mean the problem group of the 17+ year olds would still be left more or less idle after June if they aren't deemed good enough / not interested in going to Senior / Reserve.

Looking at the reaction on twitter you'd think the county board had concocted some masterplan to hoodwink everybody into voting odd this season. Goes back to even numbers next year with everybody's blessing and gives the CCC time to plan out a better fixture schedule to suit all.

U17 not really the problem as its an age group which works well when decoupled from senior. The problem is the next age group after this. If clubs are so worried about player development then they need to be willing to play in an u19/20 competition minus their players who are involved with the seniors. Moving back to u18 next year without decoupling will meerly kick the can down the road.

I feel the real turning point for Glen was the previous thread getting locked down. The whole thing just seemed to get a fresh start and they haven't looked back since 
Claudy by 5
Glen by 2

On a more serious note, Armagh not a bad draw for us. Think most would see it as a winnable game?
Interesting time ahead with new management and maybe some new players to freshen up the panel.

I see Paddy Downey got the chop at the loughshore,muppet

He had plenty of 'muppets' to work with too. The 'muppet show' maybe 

[Drum]

Junior - Drum 4 pts

Intermediate Claudy v Drunsurn 1 pt
                  Foreglen v Dawson 3 pts

Senior         Slaughtneil v Glen 2pts   
                  Rossa v Banagher  4pts

Going for a bit of a shock in the Drunsurn v Claudy game

How do you all see the results going this weekend? Any upsets in the Senior or Intermediate?

Fully expect Banagher to do the business against Magherafelt this weekend. A good result in last week's hurling decider will leave them on a high and Magherafelt by all accounts feel they are in bonus territory themselves.

I doubt anyone in Magherafelt would view their championship campaign as a success if they were beaten by Banagher so not really 'bonus territory'.

"allseasons" gave a very good realistic overview of all the team performances in the Derry Senior football championships.Perhaps he would like to take his analysis a bit further and name his standout players in each side from a Rory Gallagher perspective.

I would certainly hope Rory doesn't pick his panel based on the championship games alone. Some lads have good days, others may be quietly efficient in doing specific jobs their management has asked them to do, and a few may just have had a poor day out. I suppose that's why he has good men like Muldoon and Meenah on his backroom team as they would have good inside knowledge of the players throughout the county.

From my own view point I thought last years county panel had varying fortunes. Some stood out and looked every inch the county player whereas others couldn't have been picked out from the crowd.

Slaughtneil - Rodgers dominated sucky, driving his team forward. Chrissy did what Chrissy does. Karl had a good battle with Daniel Mc kindless. Cassidy effective midfield and is a mobile worker. Looks every inch a county wing forward. Shane mc Guigan was quiet but is one who is county level.

Glen - Mc Faul and Bradley the stand out performers. Are any of the rest county standard? Doherty x 2 could be worth looking at.

Magherafelt - Mc cluskey in defence and Kearins caught the eye. Probably hard for forwards to stand outin their defensive system. Heavron will be on Rorys radar.

Banagher - Keeper is best ive seen but may not commit if reports are to be believed! O Neill midfield could be worth a look. Muldoon will know these boys well enough to give Rory an insight.

Lavey - Toner small for county level and hasn't really done it in a county jersey as yet. Mc Gill Disappointing against glen but could have something to offer at another. Downey possibly worth a look

Ballinderry - Mc kindless did well on Karl Mc Kaigue with a limited supply of ball. Other mc Kindless might not be worth the hassel for a new manager. Bell very disappointing in his battle with Rodgers.

Swatragh - as I said a lot of similar players but none who would really have you on the edge of your seat. Mc Williams x 2 would be worth a look if previous underage form is taken into consideration and they stay injury free.

I could name more players from more clubs (lynn, Keenan, mc Goldricks) but as I've said Rory has a good team in place who know the players \ personalities well enough. There is talent there but the lack of a 'marquee' forward or 2 would be my biggest concern.

Having watched the majority of senior teams in action over the last couple of months here is my take on it all.

Slaughtneil - clear favourites for the title. Defensively so strong. Young Mc Neill could be a loss as they don't seem to have great cover in the back line. Who is the next player up if theres another injury? So strong on breaking which makes ballinderrys decision to go long with their kick outs even more puzzling. What is the craic with Patsy?

Glen - the contenders. Have been impressive so far especially in the wide open spaces of owenbeg. Could be bullied in the semi final? Great pace throughout their team and now look to have a bit of depth to their panel.

Magherafelt - Probably next up. Defensively well set up. Seemed to catch the surfers trying to see the game out the first day. Is it finally their time to step up and challenge slaughtneil?

Banagher - Have had a great championship run and getting to a final is not out of the question. Ive been impressed with their midfield of lynch o neill and mc Gilligan. Keeper also hugely impressive. Under no pressure going into a semi final.

Ballinderry - A team in decline unfortunately. Very little pace around the middle on sunday and sideline tactics would have to be questioned.

Screen - Also look to be a team in decline with many of their big hitters having seen better days, Mc Bride etc.

Lavey - Lavey had their chance last year. Will have to try to hang on to their older players to help the young lads come through in the next few years. No john Mc Laughlins heading their way for a while.

Bellaghy - Similar to lavey only maybe a year or two further down the line.

Swatragh - Disappointing end to what should have been a much better year for them. May rue this missed opportunity. Lots if big players but maybe missing a bit of craft at both ends of the park.

Coleraine - Best days behind them

All the rest could flirt between intermediate and senior in the next few years with none really with a realistic chance of winning the big prize.

Surprised there hasn't been more made of the pulling & dragging off the ball from McKaigue on Gareth McKinless which resulted in Gareth going off with a knee injury. Very close proximity of the ref and in the linesman's view point too.

Huge moment in a very good game which petered out after Sammy's goal. Couple of fantastic points by Sammy and Daniel McKinless.

Was Feeney lucky not to get a black card for the pull down?

surprised Ballinderry are complaining about referees and not taking their medicine 

Managerial merry go round............

Who's staying, who's going and who is coming in ?

Div 1A
Ballinascreen - is baker staying on?
Ballinderry - who will replace Harte and O'Donnell.... internal?
Banagher - will enda stay on after banaghers ulster campaign? might not want to manage against ballinderry
Bellaghy - joe cassidy staying?
Coleraine - was this not mcgoldrick and mclaughlins last year? who would follow?
Dungiven - paul murphy to continue?
Glen - gormley gone? who to follow? mccusker or outsider?
Lavey - Brennan and Downey supposedly staying on?
Loup - Kevin coary supposedly gone?
Magherafelt - Adrian cush suppose to be staying on despite the unrest after the slaughtneil game?
Slaughtneil - said to be looking for a new management team?
Swatragh - Michael O'Kane staying on?

Div 1B
Newbridge - heard that bradley has left but also heard they are keen to keep him
Kilrea - has the internal set up of mcaleese left? a team that is underachieving massively
Greenlough - has niall conway committed for another year? they would be keen to keep him
Glenullin - Rafferty staying?
Claudy - ?


who will be over these sides at the start of the 2019 league campaign?

Nothing much definite there except those who are definitely gone. It appears a lot of clubs will be flexing the cheque books.

On a different note I saw a rather classy video of John Brennan doing the rounds on social media recently. What an embarrassment to both himself and his club 

I might sound a bit ironic posting this on here but social media and every fool having a platform is a real problem. I see a few twitter users from neighbouring clubs slating the referee looking for cheap likes and retweets.
The nailers haven't been at their normal level this year for a variety of reasons and it opened the door for a result like this to happen.