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Absolutely no loss, both careers have regressed since there big transfer and I don't think too many are surprised by that. Personally think the ill feelings stretched further than Lavey over that move and any opportunities that he did get didn't inspire too many.

Derry County Board and Derry Senior management team are to be commended  in selecting a Senior Development squad. As many posters have said, when you add the Senior development squad to the already Senior panellists who get little or no meaningful game time with the Senior team in competitive matches, in essence you have now a full Senior reserve county team.

 They can train,play challenge games with other County reserve sides and generally learn what it takes to be proper Senior players who can properly develop their full potential.

At present Senior county players, who do not get game time, soon become frustrated as there are no meaningful outlets  for playing the game that they love so well, either at County level or at club level. So, as has happened in Derry and indeed other counties this year, Senior panellists have already left before the half way point in this year's league. It takes great man management skills to prevent this occurring with an ever increasing regularity.

Another increasing problem that managers have to face is the reluctance of some top class club players refusing to join Senior County  panels. For example there are at least three or four excellent club players in Derry who fall into this category. In fact most connoisseurs of Derry football rate them so highly that they should certainly not only  be on the match day 26 but would be serious challengers for starting positions. Perhaps management could encourage them to join this year's Senior Development panel instead.

All in all a very good development for the successful future of Derry football. Now, if we can get Padraic McGrogan, Conor McCluskey, Donncha Gilmore, Ciaran McFaul, Niall Loughlin, Brendan Rogers, Eoin McEvoy, Niall Toner, Cormac Murphy and Niall O'Donnell fully fit and no new injuries Derry could ruffle a few feathers in this year's championship!!

I'm going to play devils advocate here and say county board shouldn't be commended. Rory Gallagher and to certain extent Mickey Harte played with a bare bones panel and pushed them to the absolute limit and I believe we are suffering for that now. This is the issue with mercenary managers, in no way was the future of Derry football allowed for quick win at all costs attitude and on to the next pot of money. This happened on County Boards watch they are the mainstays in all that. They took their eye off the long term picture for the last 3/4 years because Sam was perceived to be within reaching distant. If they had won that in their opinion they have done everything correctly. The youth structures are in place but development from youth to senior level still appears to be a struggle.

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

Who all is on this development squad?

I'm not sure it's a full on development squad? Open to correction.

Heard there are 3 lads from Faughanvale down training with the county anyway. Don't think they're the required standard but good luck to them and I'd happily be proven wrong.

There's about 14 on it, clubs were asked to send who they believed was capable I've no doubt there would be slightly clouded judgement on that but if they were there at least they know.

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

I think I'll still moan, how's it going work? Haven't seen this update anywhere except your post

I'm told they are a common thing in Dublin, Kerry, Mayo, Galway. New batch of development squad players along with existing players who don't normally make the match day squad train, play in house games against senior team and getting same treatment as our senior team. Idea being that puts additional push on squad players that their place isn't guaranteed. Essentially its a County Reserve team.

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

The subs today and against Kerry badly weakened us. It is very worrying that with 10 minutes to go and being miles ahead we could not close out either game. Game management to see a game out is woeful. Need some leadership from the senior players.

From my counting I reckon we had 3 of what I would class "senior" players left on the pitch, Mc Guigan, Glass and CD.
Don't think can expect Paul Cass and Ethan to control a game they aren't that type of player and still young.Glass was out on his feet and had a really good game.Mc Guigan was throwing himself and everything in Midfield but just couldn't get a ball, he's not a midfielder after all. CD was marking Gallen. Harsh to say they didn't show leadership.

Hopefully McEvoy and Rogers injuries aren't too serious.

We're still not far away if we've everyone back fit.

The point is we won't have everyone fit for a whole championship. No one does. We can't cope with any injuries at all as our squad players aren't good enough. Look at what Armagh did last night and look at the players they are missing.

Was a good performance for 63 min but I couldn't help but think we'd end up throwing it away once Rogers got injured

I don't disagree. Although think Bradley looks like a good addition.

Yes he's been very impressive. Nailed on to start championship I'd say.

Agree with that, I thought he played really well big strong and keeps everything nice and simple. Baker got  isolated on Murphy for the Donegal goal and he just had too much strength for him, and probably a few starters missing around him for some protection.

Just two or three subs brought on who are a little young and not enough experience.
Niall Toner was a miss as a breaking ball winner around the middle.

A real kick in the teeth loss but we're definitely looking alot more like whats required.

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

Nonsense.

Derry's best player in the last 25 years was from Glenullin. Their most exciting/skillful player in that time was his brother. Their most consistent player was from Banagher. His club mate holds the record for most appearances for the Ireland compromise rules team.
Not to mention Gerard O'Kane, Barry McGoldrick or Sean Leo McGoldrick.

The current panel boasts 4 players from Derry city - all who have played NFL this season already, not token additions. All from Steelstown. How many clubs in south derry can say that?

If you took every player from Kilrea, Swatragh, Loup, Ballinascreen and Castledawson (all south Derry Div.1 clubs), I'd wager it was many years before they've had 4 players between them represent Derry in the NFL. Why can those clubs not produce players, given all the obvious advantages they have? Why are they not pulling their weight?

I think the money Derry GAA have directly invested in the city may well have something to do with it. Theres 4 players from a club who I believe have won one game in the SFC in two years thats been down to group stage layouts. You believe they aren't token gestures, I probably wouldn't be as harsh as that but 100% the 5 clubs you named have better players that them 4.

Whether they are prepared to commit I don't know but ability wise they have better players.
Terence O'Brien
Patrick Coney
Patrick Kearney
Sean Kearney
Martin Bradley (Screen Already there)
Gearoid Mc Laughlin.

Alot these players weigh up not being available for their clubs but also not starting for county so end up with no football hence the reason why our bench is sitting with players who are either living out of the county or playing out of the county.

Also best in last 25 years?.have you forgotten Fergal Doc, Enda Muldoon, Paul Mc Flynn, Kevin McCloy, Conleith Gilligan,
Kevin Mc Guckian, James Kielt?

I think your club, the level you play at and what side of the Glenshane you live on are irrelevant. 95% of county players these days get their chance due to performances in the development squads and there are plenty of North Derry and intermediate players on those, so far the majority of them just haven't been good enough or committed enough to make the jump. There will always be more South Derry players on the team as that's where the majority of the players are.

I also think the culture point is nonsense. Gaelic football is as big a deal in Dungiven and Banagher as it is in Bellaghy or Maghera. Clubs like Eoghan Rua have to go through a lot more upheaval to even exist in the first place.

What upheaval would that be now? Utter nonsense

Didn't they have a lot of issues getting a pitch for years

Every club is the same, trying go get some land, maintain it try and buy a bit more.

Just because Coleraine is the most recent doesn't mean they had any more upheaval as opposed to the rest. Think you could rhyme off a few clubs who had clubrooms burned down etc and had to start all over again.

I think your club, the level you play at and what side of the Glenshane you live on are irrelevant. 95% of county players these days get their chance due to performances in the development squads and there are plenty of North Derry and intermediate players on those, so far the majority of them just haven't been good enough or committed enough to make the jump. There will always be more South Derry players on the team as that's where the majority of the players are.

I also think the culture point is nonsense. Gaelic football is as big a deal in Dungiven and Banagher as it is in Bellaghy or Maghera. Clubs like Eoghan Rua have to go through a lot more upheaval to even exist in the first place.

What upheaval would that be now? Utter nonsense

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

Coleraine have won two since 2010 and they're a north Derry team

I stand corrected but 5 in 35 years by 3 different clubs is still poor

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

Have you anyone to suggest that I have missed? Perhaps from North Derry.

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

+1 for that

Good enough team but will mcfaul be fit for the next game? He's only played 1 and 3/4 games so far so he must be carrying an injury. Not sure about loughlin at chf as he's only back after a long injury. He could do a job inside though as he's a good finisher.

Not sure about Mc Faul but long term with everyone back I think its an option. As for Loughlin, him and Mc Guigan could swap when required. For two really clinical finishers their appetite for defending is first class. One of the two of them along with Murray need to be up front at all times.

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.