Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[onefineday]

I totally agree with screen exile re the reasons for Derry's poor performances this year. If you add in the fact that too many players also  were overused in the league with many substitutes mostly  under used we can see it was an over tired team without any proper back up that faced the championship opener against Donegal.

For the management team to play without a defence against Donegal was incredible  enough but to replicate the same  self implosion tactics against  Armagh and Galway was totally unforgiveable. By the way this small panel system and use of the same core players for every game also existed under the previous management as well. So the new management hopefully will have learned from these catastrophic errors  and make Derry potentially a great team>

Donegal and Armagh went for it in Div 2, played a final and played 2 extra games in Ulster, yet were able to keep the foot pressed hard beyond our exit point in the championship. We rested key players during the league

A large core of the current Derry squad has been on the go more or less full tilt from late 2021. From Gallagher took over and with club runs in football and hurling, there's been no respite. A break should do them the world of good.

There's also a fair difference in intensity between div 2 and div 1, so they're not overly comparable, especially with the new management out to make an impression.

And being honest, the year wasn't a total write off, we definitely unearthed some new talent, saw the potential in Murray and that league final was some game, whatever anyone says about championship and all that, it was a superb game of football that had everything and was a terrific advert for how our game can be played.

Roll on 2025 with MOR onboard, another couple of lads added to the panel and we also know that there's definitely nobody to fear out there.

[Doire23]

Donncha Gilmore has the potential to be a MF asset in my mind. He marked Brendan Rogers out of their club championship meeting last year. A lot of potential for growth in that role. However with Padraig McGrogan to likely miss at least part of next season and if Chrissy McKaigue decided to hang it up, I'd imagine Gilmore will continue in the role he did this year.

[93-DY-SAM]

Donncha Gilmore has the potential to be a MF asset in my mind. He marked Brendan Rogers out of their club championship meeting last year. A lot of potential for growth in that role. However with Padraig McGrogan to likely miss at least part of next season and if Chrissy McKaigue decided to hang it up, I'd imagine Gilmore will continue in the role he did this year.

Chrissy doesn't owe Derry anything but like any great player time has caught up with him. No one has found the secret to avoid mother time yet. We need to be planning for the next few years ahead and unfortunately, that probably means Chrissy taking more of a back seat. I doubt he'll be on for that though but I feel that's where we are in terms of Chrissy. We need to be bringing in some of the younger lads from last few years minors and U-20's during the McKenna Cup and stages of the league. Securing Div 1 status is all that matters for the league next year and developing a more depth in the squad. We don't need a 42 panel like Armagh but we need a wee bit more depth than we currently have. If young Lachlan Murray can improve on his form again from this year, McGuigan can hit his form and consistency of 2023 plus we turn up another regular scoring forward we'll be heading in the right direction. And yes we need McGrogan back to full fitness before the start of the Championship.

[Mario]

I think you need to look past his age. At end of the day Chrissy is still playing at at level that warrants a start. He kept Clifford to one point from play last day out. He did well v Mayo, still getting up the pitch in injury time to fist over the winning point. Gallen was the best forward in the country this year and I don't think he scored from play against us.

[93-DY-SAM]

I think you need to look past his age. At end of the day Chrissy is still playing at at level that warrants a start. He kept Clifford to one point from play last day out. He did well v Mayo, still getting up the pitch in injury time to fist over the winning point. Gallen was the best forward in the country this year and I don't think he scored from play against us.

All fair points I still think he has plenty to offer the team but we need to be thinking ahead.

[GTP]

Based on the league tables on the Derry website only nine teams average more than 15 points in a game from the top two divisions. Any new management team is going to find it hard to find a regular scoring forward to add to the squad. Hopefully the championship will produce a few contenders.
Average total points per game:
Lavey    18
Bellaghy    17
Faughanvale    17
Glenullin    16
Kilrea    15
Dungiven    15
O'Donovan Rossa GAC    15
St Malachy's Castledawson    15
Banagher    15

[JohnDenver]

Championship season (albeit group games) upon us.  Not interested in those seperate threads created

Prediction time

Kilrea v Bellaghy                BELLAGHY BY 2
Steelstown v Magherafelt  MAGHERAFELT BY 3
Ballinascreen v The Loup   DRAW
Swatragh v Dungiven        SWATRAGH BY 1
Glen v Slaughtneil             GLEN BY 2
Newbridge v Lavey            NEWBRIDGE BY 3

[Derry Man]

Kilrea v Bellaghy            Kilrea
Steelstown v Magherafelt     M'Felt
Ballinascreen v Loup         Screen
Swatragh v Dungiven          Swatragh
Glen v Slaughtneil           Draw
Newbridge v Lavey            Bridge

[JoG2]

Championship season (albeit group games) upon us.  Not interested in those seperate threads created

Prediction time

Kilrea v Bellaghy                BELLAGHY BY 2
Steelstown v Magherafelt  MAGHERAFELT BY 3
Ballinascreen v The Loup   DRAW
Swatragh v Dungiven        SWATRAGH BY 1
Glen v Slaughtneil             GLEN BY 2
Newbridge v Lavey            NEWBRIDGE BY 3

Nor int or junior by the looks of it, very middle class

[tbrick18]

I think you need to look past his age. At end of the day Chrissy is still playing at at level that warrants a start. He kept Clifford to one point from play last day out. He did well v Mayo, still getting up the pitch in injury time to fist over the winning point. Gallen was the best forward in the country this year and I don't think he scored from play against us.

I'm normally one of his biggest critics, but I agree with you on his performance this year.
He was immense against Kerry.
But....age can't be beat. We need to be priming someone else for that position.
If it was me, and he doesnt retire, I wouldn't play him at all until the last couple of league games and instead bring someone through. Keep him for championship and try to gradually reduce his game time whilst increasing game time for his replacement(s).

No shame in that, just the natural order of things.

[JohnDenver]

Championship season (albeit group games) upon us.  Not interested in those seperate threads created

Prediction time

Kilrea v Bellaghy                BELLAGHY BY 2
Steelstown v Magherafelt  MAGHERAFELT BY 3
Ballinascreen v The Loup  DRAW
Swatragh v Dungiven        SWATRAGH BY 1
Glen v Slaughtneil            GLEN BY 2
Newbridge v Lavey            NEWBRIDGE BY 3

Nor int or junior by the looks of it, very middle class

Ballinderry don't even have an interest in the intermediate ffs   

Hard enough predicting the senior on league form never mind the rest

[statto]

I think you need to look past his age. At end of the day Chrissy is still playing at at level that warrants a start. He kept Clifford to one point from play last day out. He did well v Mayo, still getting up the pitch in injury time to fist over the winning point. Gallen was the best forward in the country this year and I don't think he scored from play against us.

I'm normally one of his biggest critics, but I agree with you on his performance this year.
He was immense against Kerry.
But....age can't be beat. We need to be priming someone else for that position.
If it was me, and he doesnt retire, I wouldn't play him at all until the last couple of league games and instead bring someone through. Keep him for championship and try to gradually reduce his game time whilst increasing game time for his replacement(s).

No shame in that, just the natural order of things.

Why would you be critical of McKaigue generally surely one of Derry's greatest defenders at his peak?

[tbrick18]

I think you need to look past his age. At end of the day Chrissy is still playing at at level that warrants a start. He kept Clifford to one point from play last day out. He did well v Mayo, still getting up the pitch in injury time to fist over the winning point. Gallen was the best forward in the country this year and I don't think he scored from play against us.

I'm normally one of his biggest critics, but I agree with you on his performance this year.
He was immense against Kerry.
But....age can't be beat. We need to be priming someone else for that position.
If it was me, and he doesnt retire, I wouldn't play him at all until the last couple of league games and instead bring someone through. Keep him for championship and try to gradually reduce his game time whilst increasing game time for his replacement(s).

No shame in that, just the natural order of things.

Why would you be critical of McKaigue generally surely one of Derry's greatest defenders at his peak?

When would you say he was at his peak?

I've mostly been critical from when he played in the half back line.
In his earlier days in the full back line no issues, but he was never a half back. Offered nothing going forward and was too easy to get past when defending. Always felt like he was lost in HB at county level. He also, imo, seemed to be telling lots of others what they should be doing whilst not doing what he should be himself.

A different story when he moved back to the full back line - give him one job of marking someone out of a game and that's what he can do well.  But, in recent years he was more likely to concede a free than tackle cleanly. Was too easy to turn and gets too involved in verbals and that's always a high risk when your a man marker. He's the best option we have right now, but we need to be introducing a replacement.
He was really good against Galen and Clifford this year, was awful against Armagh (but then who wasnt).
I don't want this to be a personal attack on the lad, I don't know him personally. He can still do a job in FB, but time is not on his side. Injuries will be slower to heal, forwards will become faster for him as he slows down. All I'm saying is we need to acknowledge that and plan to replace him sooner rather than later.

[statto]

I think you need to look past his age. At end of the day Chrissy is still playing at at level that warrants a start. He kept Clifford to one point from play last day out. He did well v Mayo, still getting up the pitch in injury time to fist over the winning point. Gallen was the best forward in the country this year and I don't think he scored from play against us.

He was pretty handy in 2017 when he kicked 0-04 when picking up Diarmuid Connolly in Ulster club semi in Newry.  Would agree that he is better in the full back line as a stopper but he has stopped alot of quality players down the years. 

I'm normally one of his biggest critics, but I agree with you on his performance this year.
He was immense against Kerry.
But....age can't be beat. We need to be priming someone else for that position.
If it was me, and he doesnt retire, I wouldn't play him at all until the last couple of league games and instead bring someone through. Keep him for championship and try to gradually reduce his game time whilst increasing game time for his replacement(s).

No shame in that, just the natural order of things.

Why would you be critical of McKaigue generally surely one of Derry's greatest defenders at his peak?

When would you say he was at his peak?

I've mostly been critical from when he played in the half back line.
In his earlier days in the full back line no issues, but he was never a half back. Offered nothing going forward and was too easy to get past when defending. Always felt like he was lost in HB at county level. He also, imo, seemed to be telling lots of others what they should be doing whilst not doing what he should be himself.

A different story when he moved back to the full back line - give him one job of marking someone out of a game and that's what he can do well.  But, in recent years he was more likely to concede a free than tackle cleanly. Was too easy to turn and gets too involved in verbals and that's always a high risk when your a man marker. He's the best option we have right now, but we need to be introducing a replacement.
He was really good against Galen and Clifford this year, was awful against Armagh (but then who wasnt).
I don't want this to be a personal attack on the lad, I don't know him personally. He can still do a job in FB, but time is not on his side. Injuries will be slower to heal, forwards will become faster for him as he slows down. All I'm saying is we need to acknowledge that and plan to replace him sooner rather than later.  Don't really

I think you need to look past his age. At end of the day Chrissy is still playing at at level that warrants a start. He kept Clifford to one point from play last day out. He did well v Mayo, still getting up the pitch in injury time to fist over the winning point. Gallen was the best forward in the country this year and I don't think he scored from play against us.

I'm normally one of his biggest critics, but I agree with you on his performance this year.
He was immense against Kerry.
But....age can't be beat. We need to be priming someone else for that position.
If it was me, and he doesnt retire, I wouldn't play him at all until the last couple of league games and instead bring someone through. Keep him for championship and try to gradually reduce his game time whilst increasing game time for his replacement(s).

No shame in that, just the natural order of things.

Why would you be critical of McKaigue generally surely one of Derry's greatest defenders at his peak?

When would you say he was at his peak?

I've mostly been critical from when he played in the half back line.
In his earlier days in the full back line no issues, but he was never a half back. Offered nothing going forward and was too easy to get past when defending. Always felt like he was lost in HB at county level. He also, imo, seemed to be telling lots of others what they should be doing whilst not doing what he should be himself.

A different story when he moved back to the full back line - give him one job of marking someone out of a game and that's what he can do well.  But, in recent years he was more likely to concede a free than tackle cleanly. Was too easy to turn and gets too involved in verbals and that's always a high risk when your a man marker. He's the best option we have right now, but we need to be introducing a replacement.
He was really good against Galen and Clifford this year, was awful against Armagh (but then who wasnt).
I don't want this to be a personal attack on the lad, I don't know him personally. He can still do a job in FB, but time is not on his side. Injuries will be slower to heal, forwards will become faster for him as he slows down. All I'm saying is we need to acknowledge that and plan to replace him sooner rather than later.

He was pretty handy in 2017 when he kicked 0-04 v Vincents while picking up Diarmuid Connolly. Think he was best as a stopper as well but when was younger could certainly do a job out the pitch.   

[Keyser soze]

I think you need to look past his age. At end of the day Chrissy is still playing at at level that warrants a start. He kept Clifford to one point from play last day out. He did well v Mayo, still getting up the pitch in injury time to fist over the winning point. Gallen was the best forward in the country this year and I don't think he scored from play against us.

I'm normally one of his biggest critics, but I agree with you on his performance this year.
He was immense against Kerry.
But....age can't be beat. We need to be priming someone else for that position.
If it was me, and he doesnt retire, I wouldn't play him at all until the last couple of league games and instead bring someone through. Keep him for championship and try to gradually reduce his game time whilst increasing game time for his replacement(s).

No shame in that, just the natural order of things.

Why would you be critical of McKaigue generally surely one of Derry's greatest defenders at his peak?

When would you say he was at his peak?

I've mostly been critical from when he played in the half back line.
In his earlier days in the full back line no issues, but he was never a half back. Offered nothing going forward and was too easy to get past when defending. Always felt like he was lost in HB at county level. He also, imo, seemed to be telling lots of others what they should be doing whilst not doing what he should be himself.

A different story when he moved back to the full back line - give him one job of marking someone out of a game and that's what he can do well.  But, in recent years he was more likely to concede a free than tackle cleanly. Was too easy to turn and gets too involved in verbals and that's always a high risk when your a man marker. He's the best option we have right now, but we need to be introducing a replacement.
He was really good against Galen and Clifford this year, was awful against Armagh (but then who wasnt).
I don't want this to be a personal attack on the lad, I don't know him personally. He can still do a job in FB, but time is not on his side. Injuries will be slower to heal, forwards will become faster for him as he slows down. All I'm saying is we need to acknowledge that and plan to replace him sooner rather than later.

Would have my criticisms of things that CMcK does during games but there's not much here* that I agree with. To put it mildly lol

*Apart from the telling other people what to do bit  lol