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While results-wise and, on more than a few occasions, performance-wise its not been a great season, always a sticking point with the injury list. Thought Conor McCluskey's cameo showed just a glimpse of what we've been missing there, and with Gareth McKinless in surely Brendan at midfield wouldn't even be a question (felt we missed his engine and attacking threat for that first 40-50 mins with the role he had), that and also Lynch potentially gives us more on the kick-outs.

Not to make excuses for the season but think the squad deserve a decent degree of sympathy. Some questionable management decisions throughout the year too but I suppose to some extent if you don't try, you don't know - and considering this year of new rules there were and to an extent still are a lot unknowns.

On a side note, thought Niall Loughlin was excellent today.

Gutting for the hurlers today (thanks in no small part to a bizarre refereeing display). 4 finals in 5 years and 4 defeats is a tough aul record to take but seems to be some good, young talent coming through. Take the positives and go again - nothing else for it.

That's some draw.

https://www.anglocelt.ie/2025/01/13/useful-work-out-for-cavan-in-challenge-match-against-derry/

League Fixtures

26th January 2025: Tyrone v Derry, Healy Park, 15:45
2nd February 2025: Derry v Kerry, Celtic Park
16th February 2025: Derry v Galway, Celtic Park, 13:00
23rd February 2025: Dublin v Derry, Croke Park, 19:00
2nd March 2025: Donegal v Derry, Fr. Tierny Park
16th March 2025: Derry V Mayo, Celtic Park, 15:45
22/23 March 2025: Armagh v Derry, Box-IT Athletic Grounds

Couldn't be much better in terms of keeping the mileage costs down!

Not to play devil's advocate but should there not have been a free anyway (a few yards back where the ball bounced) because of a late hit on the Ballinderry man after he kicked it in? I've no idea about GAA rules anymore so maybe thats incorrect but there was 100% a late hit after the ball had been kicked from the right sideline.

But in terms of the actual foul that was given, the most clean, textbook tackle you'll see all day.

Was more than a few yards back and not a storable position against that wind, Vale get the men back and come out with the ball or it drops short and back of the net...We'll never know now. Hopefully another entertaining match next Saturday

Fair point, I thought it had only bounced once but seen the video there with the two bounces before he got it.

Not to play devil's advocate but should there not have been a free anyway (a few yards back where the ball bounced) because of a late hit on the Ballinderry man after he kicked it in? I've no idea about GAA rules anymore so maybe thats incorrect but there was 100% a late hit after the ball had been kicked from the right sideline.

But in terms of the actual foul that was given, the most clean, textbook tackle you'll see all day.

While I appreciate he wasn't in the role for long and was hindered by some eligible players being kept in the senior panel, Bradley didn't exactly set the world alight as U20 manager. Considering the high bar set at underage level in the last few years his return was poor.

Not surprised to see the Vale or Drumsurn winning - two high level intermediate outfits. Drumsurn have some serious heartache the last few years too.
Eoghan Rua put in a serious shift today with 14 men from less than 10 mins in (and at a stage 13 men after a black card). Would have been a huge result if they'd hung on. Some of the Banagher score-taking was exceptional and big Mark Lynch coming on to do what he does.

Glenullin hammer Coleraine, Coleraine beat Faughanvale, Faughanvale hammer Glenullin, Greenloughs win today bring them back into contention for progression to the quarters, Intermediate is wide open

Definitely looking like the most interesting c'ship of the 3 early doors. By my reckoning Greenlough are out though. Even if they win next week and finish on 4pts & Glenullin lose and stay on 4pts - Glenullin will have them on H2H. Maths not my strong suit though so could be wrong...

Correct, my bad, all is interesting in Group B in the battle to avoid Ballinderry in that case...

Big time. And 3rd vs 4th winner takes all in Group B between Drumsurn and Banagher for a better seeding. If it stayed the same and Glenullin played Ballinderry that'd be a tasty tie!

Glenullin hammer Coleraine, Coleraine beat Faughanvale, Faughanvale hammer Glenullin, Greenloughs win today bring them back into contention for progression to the quarters, Intermediate is wide open

Definitely looking like the most interesting c'ship of the 3 early doors. By my reckoning Greenlough are out though. Even if they win next week and finish on 4pts & Glenullin lose and stay on 4pts - Glenullin will have them on H2H. Maths not my strong suit though so could be wrong...

Intermediate championship going along nicely. Only Ballinderry and Foreglen unbeaten. Top 4 and seedings still up in the air. Should be some interesting first knockout games.

Have said previously on this thread the issue is there are no available, proven, high-quality manager/coaches available (aside from MOR who I would assume doesn't want it this time around either).

That aside, my opinion is that Derry GAA are under no obligation to bring him back. It's not like he's in post and there's pressure to get him out. They have the choice to leave it in the past. Bringing him back is a very poor look, imo.

Seeing a lot on Twitter about how 'he has the wains' and 'look at his ex-wife now' - some would do well to think about how years of abuse such as that that were alleged would affect them/their family members.

I appreciate the innocent until proven guilty side of it, but equally I believe that, particularly in cases of DV (and other VAWG cases), the justice system doesn't always do its job.

So for them reasons whether he's guilty, innocent or whatever else, I just don't see why its worth the risk (bar the lack of other options)

Scanning through some of today's results - Claudy 4-9 Banagher 0-1 on the Derry GAA site seems a bit of a wild one, is it right? One point in 60 minutes doesn't bode well for a team that were inches from the senior league play-off.

It's been corrected, was actually Banagher done the hammering. Shows the farce of the thing Claudy still can't be relegated this year

Cheers Brendan. Was wondering when it seemed to go completely against what we'd seen so many this year. That's why!

Scanning through some of today's results - Claudy 4-9 Banagher 0-1 on the Derry GAA site seems a bit of a wild one, is it right? One point in 60 minutes doesn't bode well for a team that were inches from the senior league play-off.