Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[ClubScene13]

Some of the comments on the Facebook page are ridiculous. Some people have lost the run of themselves completely.

Best ignored, was shown a few comments this evening, know a couple of the posters, don't go to games and to see they were limited footballers would be very kind... Ballaches

Tyrone's Facebook has been the same this years, it's where the air heads congregate..

[onefineday]

Best performance in almost a year?

So much better than last week, really unlucky today, couldn't win a ball the last 10 mins - for the glass move on the sideline, keeping the ball in play, to result in a Donegal goal just typifies the luck we've been having.
And as mario says, breaking balls just weren't going out way, maybe cos we're not used to fighting for them?

It seemed to me that the wind really picked up the last 10 too?

Hoping nothing too serious with all the lads who exited early, all were important contributors today. Sickening defeat, but for me the best performance  since the league final.

[Newbridge Exile]

What age is the Bradley fella?

25/26, he was on The Minor team with Paudie and Clucky who got heat by Kerry in 2017

[tbrick18]

Gavin Devlin on the smallerfish very complimentary of the performance by Derry today. Reckons they'll be a force in the championship.

The manner of some of these defeats is hard to take but when the dust settles there is a lot of positives to take from that performance. Rogers class again, McGrogan excellent on his first start. Half back line looked formidable again. McEvoy far better out of full back. Lachlan Murray looks electric. Defensively we did much better than recent games. Kickouts had a bit of variety this time. Lynch looked good back one bad kickout at the end.

When the game was in the melting pot we just couldnt win a ball. Some of that is bad luck too. Ricochets not falling your way.

They just need a win to help confidence. Hopefully they get that in the last 2 games.

Agree with most of this, but "bad luck" only accounts for so much. We certainly played our best football of the year yesterday and as McGrogan and Loughlin regain fitness that should improve.
Dan Higgins looked decent too and added some much needed physicality around that middle third.
Murray was excellent, we just need him to be consistent. McGuigan probably didn't have his best day from open play, but was unreal from the dead ball. Bradley is getting better with each game so that's a real positive.
Lynch definitely made us more comfortable at the back, made one excellent save and kickouts were accurate, bar one near the end. Came out the field and acted as that pivot, but didnt try to break tackles. Still more effective than McNicholl was imo.
On winning the breaks, I think we need to work on that more on the training ground. Rarely does breaking ball just fall randomly, they are usually broken into certain areas where we should be ready to collect. I think we're not quite there yet on that tactic. This is why I wouldn't want to say it's all bad luck - more we haven't had the same time to prepare as other.

A much improved performance all around to be fair but it is disappointing not being able to close these games out.
We're are in that difficult position of a new manager coming in late so we are behind on preparation, a flood of injuries to too many key players, a sea change in the rules, and just as injured players are returning we lose more to injury.
Losing Rogers and McEvoy were the turning points yesterday - even after conceding a goal we always looked capable of scoring and with those two on the pitch so we had a chance. It will be devastating if we lose them for a prolonged period of time.
I'm guessing Toner was injured, so that left us yesterday with all of these starting players not on the field in the final quarter: McFaul, McEvoy, Rogers, McKinless, Clucky, McGrogan and Loughlin. Then we are missing Murphy (injured?) and Gilmore from the bench too.  I think it's doubtful that we'll get all these players (definitely McKinless) back for the first championship game and fully fit so we're going to struggle to make a major impact this year.
But, if we're clever about it and don't rush men back we could be well set up for next season again with those squad players getting some exposure this season. I'm as impatient as the next man, but from a positive POV, a week ago people were talking about Donegal as being #1 contender for AI honours this year, and we just went toe-to-toe and could have won it. So we are moving in the right direction I feel.

Someone mentioned game management, I'm not sure you can manage a game out now unless you are 12+ up, as a 10 mins purple patch can result in really heavy scoring now and wind direction is crucial it seems.
One of the most disappointing parts of the game now as a result of the new rules is that tactics seem to have gone. The only tactic is attack.
I like the solo-and-go rule, and the hooter has long since been overdue...but the rest of these rules have brought nothing in my opinion. Perhaps the handing the ball over rule in some variation would be good, but as it stands its too black and white.
We still have the slow build up play in many games, with sideways passing around the 40m arc. Stopping the Keeper going up will make that static play worse, but will remove the element of unfairness when the 3v3 rule is in place. For me, a largely failed experiment, but I get the feeling giving the profile of the FRC and some of the sycophantic rhetoric around how good the rules are by some in the media and RTE in particular, we'll be retaining all of them in some manner.

[Silver hill]

Gavin Devlin on the smallerfish very complimentary of the performance by Derry today. Reckons they'll be a force in the championship.

The manner of some of these defeats is hard to take but when the dust settles there is a lot of positives to take from that performance. Rogers class again, McGrogan excellent on his first start. Half back line looked formidable again. McEvoy far better out of full back. Lachlan Murray looks electric. Defensively we did much better than recent games. Kickouts had a bit of variety this time. Lynch looked good back one bad kickout at the end.

When the game was in the melting pot we just couldnt win a ball. Some of that is bad luck too. Ricochets not falling your way.

They just need a win to help confidence. Hopefully they get that in the last 2 games.

Agree with most of this, but "bad luck" only accounts for so much. We certainly played our best football of the year yesterday and as McGrogan and Loughlin regain fitness that should improve.
Dan Higgins looked decent too and added some much needed physicality around that middle third.
Murray was excellent, we just need him to be consistent. McGuigan probably didn't have his best day from open play, but was unreal from the dead ball. Bradley is getting better with each game so that's a real positive.
Lynch definitely made us more comfortable at the back, made one excellent save and kickouts were accurate, bar one near the end. Came out the field and acted as that pivot, but didnt try to break tackles. Still more effective than McNicholl was imo.
On winning the breaks, I think we need to work on that more on the training ground. Rarely does breaking ball just fall randomly, they are usually broken into certain areas where we should be ready to collect. I think we're not quite there yet on that tactic. This is why I wouldn't want to say it's all bad luck - more we haven't had the same time to prepare as other.

A much improved performance all around to be fair but it is disappointing not being able to close these games out.
We're are in that difficult position of a new manager coming in late so we are behind on preparation, a flood of injuries to too many key players, a sea change in the rules, and just as injured players are returning we lose more to injury.
Losing Rogers and McEvoy were the turning points yesterday - even after conceding a goal we always looked capable of scoring and with those two on the pitch so we had a chance. It will be devastating if we lose them for a prolonged period of time.
I'm guessing Toner was injured, so that left us yesterday with all of these starting players not on the field in the final quarter: McFaul, McEvoy, Rogers, McKinless, Clucky, McGrogan and Loughlin. Then we are missing Murphy (injured?) and Gilmore from the bench too.  I think it's doubtful that we'll get all these players (definitely McKinless) back for the first championship game and fully fit so we're going to struggle to make a major impact this year.
But, if we're clever about it and don't rush men back we could be well set up for next season again with those squad players getting some exposure this season. I'm as impatient as the next man, but from a positive POV, a week ago people were talking about Donegal as being #1 contender for AI honours this year, and we just went toe-to-toe and could have won it. So we are moving in the right direction I feel.

Someone mentioned game management, I'm not sure you can manage a game out now unless you are 12+ up, as a 10 mins purple patch can result in really heavy scoring now and wind direction is crucial it seems.
One of the most disappointing parts of the game now as a result of the new rules is that tactics seem to have gone. The only tactic is attack.
I like the solo-and-go rule, and the hooter has long since been overdue...but the rest of these rules have brought nothing in my opinion. Perhaps the handing the ball over rule in some variation would be good, but as it stands its too black and white.
We still have the slow build up play in many games, with sideways passing around the 40m arc. Stopping the Keeper going up will make that static play worse, but will remove the element of unfairness when the 3v3 rule is in place. For me, a largely failed experiment, but I get the feeling giving the profile of the FRC and some of the sycophantic rhetoric around how good the rules are by some in the media and RTE in particular, we'll be retaining all of them in some manner.

My tg4 feed was glitching a lot yesterday so I may have missed this, but I honestly can only recall Dan Higgins being on the ball once or possibly twice in the entire game so can't see how you thought he was decent?

And would strongly disagree re the new rules being a failed experiment....just ask yourself if what you've seen so far in the 5 league games was better than the league games last year.
Apart from the league final last year v Dublin, it's night and day from a spectator's perspective.

[Mario]

I much preferred last year's league myself

[tbrick18]

My tg4 feed was glitching a lot yesterday so I may have missed this, but I honestly can only recall Dan Higgins being on the ball once or possibly twice in the entire game so can't see how you thought he was decent?

And would strongly disagree re the new rules being a failed experiment....just ask yourself if what you've seen so far in the 5 league games was better than the league games last year.
Apart from the league final last year v Dublin, it's night and day from a spectator's perspective.

I thought Higgins was involved in a good few of the kickout tussles and won breaking ball and a number of occassions. We were defensively stronger too and I think that was in part down to us being more physical in that middle third area. Only said he looked decent, not a world beater, but he needs to be given a chance especially as we struggle in at that MF sector quite often.

Different people have different opinions on the rules. I think they leave very little room for tactical innovation.
When teams can attack with more attackers than the defending team can defend with there is always going to be lots of scores, doesn't make it better in my view. We're all taught from no age that when your team doesn't have the ball that you need to defend, now we're saying you only defend a bit. I saw Ethan Doc chasing back yesterday and had to stop at the half way line and allow his man to run on to keep the 3 up. That's crazy imo.
The high fielding, extensive kicking game that these rules have been brought in to create hasn't materialised. There were always some high catches and long range scores. I'd love to see stats on whether or not this has increased.
Personally, I haven't enjoyed the games as much and certainly in my social group the feeling is the same. And I'm not talking only about Derry games, I mean in general.
As for underage club football...a nightmare so far from what I see.

[Real Talk]

I went to this game with low expectations and came away knowing this was a real team performance. We didnt won but we have only won 1 of our last 11 games and that was against Westmeath. 

We need to get two good performances from our next 2 league games against Mayo and Armagh. We hope that Rogers and McEvoy recover from their injuries and are fit in time for the Championship.

Not likely that we can retain Div 1 status but that is not particularly important.

We need to build a sequence of wins under our belt and another couple of players from our Under 20's ...  Sargent, Young and T Rogers are two that come to mind.

Over all yesterday's performance was a step in the right direction.

[lenny]

I went to this game with low expectations and came away knowing this was a real team performance. We didnt won but we have only won 1 of our last 11 games and that was against Westmeath. 

We need to get two good performances from our next 2 league games against Mayo and Armagh. We hope that Rogers and McEvoy recover from their injuries and are fit in time for the Championship.

Not likely that we can retain Div 1 status but that is not particularly important.

We need to build a sequence of wins under our belt and another couple of players from our Under 20's ...  Sargent, Young and T Rogers are two that come to mind.

Over all yesterday's performance was a step in the right direction.

We're down now more than likely so the priority now is to manage the injured players so that they're ready for championship. We've done well in most games for at least 55 minutes so it's our fitness and squad which has been lacking so far. Hopefully McEvoy, Rogers and cluckie can get themselves in position to contribute v Donegal in Ballybofey and games beyone that. This will leave a hole for the next 2 games but will give other players some game time and help develop the squad which badly needs some depth. Subs like Mark Doherty and declan cassidy have had some game time but a couple of full games could really benefit them going forward.

[Derryfan93]

This was our best performance since the Dublin league final lets take the positives from it

We lost Rogers, Mcevoy and played the game without mcfaul, toner, gilmore, murphy , Clucky

Lets get the lads back and go to ballybofey with as healthy a squad we can and we wont be far away, keep the faith

[ck]

This was our best performance since the Dublin league final lets take the positives from it

We lost Rogers, Mcevoy and played the game without mcfaul, toner, gilmore, murphy , Clucky

Lets get the lads back and go to ballybofey with as healthy a squad we can and we wont be far away, keep the faith

Lost Rogers and McEvoy? Are they injured? How long are they out for?

[Derryfan93]

We lost them in the game, both came off injured

[oakleaflad]

Conceivably Derry could be sitting on 5 points but Division one is unforgiving. It feels a little bit like Tally just came in a bit too late, the fitness isn't where it needs to be. That was the difference today along with the loss of Rogers. Lots of positives although one real concern is our lack of options for kick out. Last 10 minutes we got our hands on nothing and with little variation we were overrun.

Is Clucky far away? He will make a huge difference. Good to see McGrogan making his way back and Loughlin as well. Murray hit some good scores today so hopefully he can start to realise the obvious potential.

I have the feeling we are still a little bit cold and that might just suit the new Championship structure. I can't for the life of me see Donegal maintain their level into June/July. It is far too demanding.

Suffered a set back, we probably won't see him this year. A massive blow.

People seem to have missed this message. That's a massive blow indeed.

[Ryan O]

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.

[Brendan]

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