Messages

[Division 1A]

How many teams go up/down in each division this year? Are there any play offs?

2 up, 2 down. No playoffs. Whoever finishes first in league wins it also.

Cheers.

Anyone having a guess at teams Promoted/Relegated in each division?

Division 1A
Relegated
Dungiven
Banagher


Division 1B
Promoted
Newbridge
Kilrea

Relegated
Drumsurn
Castledawson


Division 2
Promoted
Slaughtmanus
Lissan

I hope you are right in terms of your promotion choices for 1b but the loss of Michael Bateson is a huge loss for us not just in terms of ability but of leadership also.
Also Drumsun could be a bit of a dark horse this year they have a lot of good young players coming through in the Rafferty's, McHugh,Woods and Murray

Agree with your dungiven banagher + newbridge kilrea, i think Drumsurn can cause a few upsets over the year with young players coming in. Can see Limavady being relegated with possibly vale or dawson.

In division 2 i can see it being Slaughtmanus and Lissan but wouldnt rule out desertmartin either. Good to see Magilligan starting well as they have already beaten 2 relegated sides and sit top at early stage a seasoned junior team showing they can compete. Also Glack with a win over ballerin.

Id say Greenough and Newbridge for me to go up and I wouldn't disagree with us being in the relegation problems again this year along with Limavady. The game yesterday was disappointing as that's a poor enough Foreglen team; it was a close game for the most part but they over ran us for a 10 minute period in the 2nd half which put the game to bed. Experience and power did for us, we had a very young side out yesterday with I think only 3 players over 24 and the full back line and 2 of the half back line being teenagers and 4/5 players playing their first senior game. With Greenlough away next and then Steelstown and Kilrea, it could be a struggle. Whats the story with Dawson? I was surprised to see a few tipping them to go down but they took a bad beating during the week, where they missing men or have they lost a few?

Callum Brown

Is this confirmed? I heard last week that he had ripped up the contract and wasn't going?

Disappointing if true but cant blame any lad that takes that chance.

One really sad result from tonight was Ardmore's no score to 6-22 for Limavady.

They have been struggling for a while and hope this is not going to be like this for the rest of the year.

Well done to Swatragh beating Ballinderry.

We drew with vale and probably a fair result. Proper 'first game of the year' craic.

Totally agree Tickle, I missed the first 5 mins but I think both sides made mistakes and missed scores and in the end while both will feel the could have won it a draw was the fair result.

Right enough talk about the County.  We can play the blame game until the cows come home but won't change the fact we are in Div 4 and the only way is up.  Let them get on with it and you never know what might happen. 

Leagues start on Weds.  My predictions below. (apologies no intermediate or junior but wouldn't be sure)

7 00 PM   Sean O'Leary GAC Newbridge   ---   ---   Kilrea   Newbridge  - good pre-season I hear
7 00 PM   Coleraine   ---   ---   John Mitchel's GAC, Claudy           Coleraine   
7 00 PM   Glen   ---   ---   Slaughtneil                                   No comment    
7 00 PM   O'Donovan Rossa GAC   ---   ---   Ballinascreen   Draw      
7 00 PM   Ballinderry   ---   ---   Swatragh                                   Ballinderry (but not by much)   
7 00 PM   Bellaghy   ---   ---   The Loup                                   Draw (Bellaghy a good ulster league?)
7 00 PM   Glenullin   ---   ---   St Oliver Plunkett's GAC,             Greenlough - Think Glenullin might struggle.

Ill gave a go at the Intermediate ones:

Desertmartin  --- --- Ballymaguigan  -BALLYMAGUIGAN
Faughanvale  --- --- Steelstown Brian Og's - STEELSTOWN   
O'Brien's G.F.C Foreglen  --- --- St Michael's GAC Lissan - FOREGLEN
Drum  --- --- Banagher  St Colm's Drum - BANAGHER
Craigbane  --- --- Drumsurn  - DRUMSURN
St Malachy's Castledawson  --- --- St Marys Slaughtmanus GAC  - CASTLEDAWSON
Ballerin  --- --- Doire Trasna  - BALLERIN

Who of the players outside of Division 1 do you folks reckon should be getting a chance? (Genuine question, I don't see those games so I don't know)

Not many. Though there are players outside Div 1 on the current panel so not sure what the post above is referring to.

Banagher - Lynch and Hagan. Limavady have Hartin and possibly Brown in the next few years. Your lad Curran from Faughanvale is on the panel but hasn't made much of an impact. Castledawson - Niall Keenan was and will be on the panel again.

Outside of that you don't have many. Foreglen have Oisin Duffy who is good enough. Craigbane - If Aidy McLaughlin could make a come back from injury similar to M Bateson he is worth a shout, been impressive when he's been on the panel but unlucky with injury.
Steelstown have some good young players but Neil Forrester is still probably their best player at the moment. Gary Keane has scored fairly heavily for Ballerin but not sure if he's county standard or an upgrade on what we have - maybe deserves a chance. A few of the goalkeepers possibly worth a shout.

Normally I would agree that there should be more intermediate players looked at but I have obviously watched a lot of Intermediate football over the years and some junior, and I personally think this is as weak in terms of individual ability that the league has been (probably reflecting the overall standard in Derry). Over the years you would have some very strong intermediate players  who maybe should have had more of a look in, but outside of those mentioned already there really isn't much. In junior you probably have young Curran at Doire Colmcille who could be up on a training panel/McKenna cup just to be looked at but don't think he is near county level. The two Limavady players mentioned should be nowhere near the county team, they haven't kicked a ball for their senior team at junior level yet one has started multiple games for the county team and one would have but for the rules, ridiculous stuff. As for intermediate we have had young Jordan Curran up, apparently he has been head and shoulders above everyone at fitness tests etc...and that is his strength and Jordan is a big player for us but he hasn't had much of a look in and I wouldn't be sure he is a county player tbh. Duffy, Forester and Marty Dunne in goals are probably the only 3 I would say could add anything and all 3 have already played county. Outside of that there is very little. Keane at ballerin is nowhere near country standard, scores big from set plays but even that can be rocky on occasions. Having said all that....the players that are currently on the panel are no great shakes either so it couldn't do any harm to cast the net wider and have a look at all clubs in all leagues.

With all the talk on here of how poor Derry are currently, I was interested to read the other day that in terms of 'Games Development Grants' in the last decade Derry have received the third highest of all the counties at €1123275, with only Dublin and Cork receiving more (this is money for developing Gaelic game, players etc... only, not for administration, grounds developments, squad expenses etc...).
In 2007 Derry reached an All Ireland quarter final and in 2008 won a National League division 1, in the 10 years since then we have received more money than almost any other county to develop the games within the county and yet here we are ten years later in relegation trouble in division 3 and as far away from an all Ireland in living memory.

I know money does not automatically equate success and in relation to Dublin it is pittance, but it is fair to say that in comparison to most other counties we have been given the funds needed to put in place good people and structures. So would you expect to be seeing some types of fruits of the development at senior level after ten years, or do you think the success of the minors recently is the first signs of this development starting to show?

Just thought it would be an interesting discussion topic away from the current plight of the senior team.

On a side note, Derry's squad expenses spend last year were also relatively high when compared to other counties.

Wonderful player. Totally revolutionised the position of goalkeeper, and in turn made the position an integral part of any good teams game plan.

[I have no doubt that finance is having a major influence. It is more important now than at any time in history]

I would like to see all this money the British gave to help Armagh win an All Ireland. In the 90s due to Drumcree there were times Armagh couldn't train within the county for safety reasons. In the 2000s they didn't have a county ground to play on. Home championship games were played in Clones. Currently the county training facilities are basic at best. Meanwhile the Dubs get more money from Croke Park than others,  have the best sponsorship and the biggest pick.
I have no doubt that finance is having a major influence. It is more important now than at any time in history.

Yes, it's massive.
Is it true that the St VIncents players all took the week preceding their All Ireland final off work to help prepare? Who could finance that?

There was a video doing the rounds last week ahead of the AI Hurling Semi were the Cuala captain and the SNeil captain are being interviewed. I found it very telling that the SNeil player is talking about a manager and community spirit etc..while the Cuala player references the impact the 'Backs coaches, forwards coaches, management team and backroom team' have had. If ever there was a contrast in the haves and have nots in GAA, that is it. Clubs in Dublin operating with Backs/forwards coaches, management teams and backroom teams while most clubs have a manager(s) and a couple of boys to help with the rigs and water bottles.

Oh right, I thought that was a wind up. I coach our U12 girls the proper pick up primarily because it is a very good skill for developing athletic ability and balance. They are all well able to do it after practicing like the boys. The reason they don't implement it in the ladies game is because, like we've discussed in the men's game, it may not be a skill that adds to the game. I actually think there's plenty of merit in removing the pick up from the men's game to speed it up and remove a decision for referees that can be difficult to implement correctly all the time. Wasn't there doubts over a Bastick pick up in the All Ireland final?

So, basically the girls are well able to perform the pick up but those formulating the rules decided the pick up wasn't a skill they wanted to transfer. As odd a thing to focus on as using a size 5 ball I'd have thought.

Thanks for this explanation, as this has always been something that really bugs me about the ladies game. So basically what you are saying is that when formulating the rules for ladies football thet just decided they didn't want to implement the pick up? To me this is absured. The pick up is a key fundamental skill of Gaelic football, like the hop or catching a ball, to decide just not to have it for me means your not playing football. I totally understand the need for certain changes I.e. size 4 ball etc..:.but to remove a fundemental skill of the game 'just because' is rediculous, especially as you say the ladies can do it comfortably.  Now whether the pick up is a good or bad thing and should be implemented in the men's game is a different matter.

OKane is a fine journalist and the work he put in when with the CDP was second to none. But in order to get the great detail he did he has become (in my opinion) too close to certain people within the Derry set up and as a result is not objective. His issues about this site where in relation to posts discussing Derry players after last week, none of which where personal in nature, but OKane took the moral high ground due to his relationship with certain players who am sure have been very accommodating to him over the years with info and interviews. He has a very short memory tho as he used this site himself to promote the GAA coverage in the Derry Post when he was getting it up and running.

I do agree that stuff on here should not be personal and if it is then it should be regulated, but the nature of the board is to discuss GAA and as long as the discussions are in good faith and nature then there is no issue as far as I am concerned. OKane talks about the anninimity of the site as well, yet admitted he frequents it now and then, am sure he doesn't advertise when he comes in and reads so by definition he is also availing of the anninimity of the site.

Lavey    ---   ---   Banagher     LAVEY
Coleraine    ---   ---   Swatragh     C'RAINE
Ballinderry    ---   ---   Bellaghy    B'DERRY
Slaughtneil    ---   Dungiven    DUNGIVEN   
Craigbane    ---   ---   Loup    LOUP   
Glenullin    ---   ---   Kilrea    GLENULLIN   
Ballinascreen    ---   Newbridge     SCREEN   
Steelstown    ---   Magherafelt  M'FELT   

Ballerin    ---   ---   Foreglen    FOREGLEN
Limavady    ---   ---   Claudy    CLAUDY   
Castledawson    ---   ---    Glack  C'DAWSON     
Desertmartin    ---   ---   Slaughtmanus    S,MANUS
Ogra Colmcille    ---   ---    Drumsurn OGRA     
Moneymore GAC    ---   ---   Faughanvale  VALE   
Greenlough    ---   ---   Lissan    GREENLOUGH
Ballymaguigan ---   ---- Glen GLEN

Drum    ---   ---   Doire Trasna    TRASNA   
Ardmore    ---   ---   Doire Colmcille    ARDMORE   
Magilligan    ---   ---   Bellaghy Thirds     MAGILLIGAN
Sean Dolans    ---   Magherafelt Thirds    DOLANS   

Craigbane   ---   ---   Banagher   BANAGHER
Glenullin    ---   ---   Bellaghy   GLENULLIN
Swatragh   ---   ---   Dungiven   DUNGIVEN
Ballinascreen   ---   ---   Loup    B'SCREEN
Steelstown   ---   ---   Lavey.       S'TOWN
Coleraine   ---   ---    Newbridge   COLERAINE
Ballinderry   ---   ---   Magherafelt  BDERRY
Slaughtneil    ---   ---   Kilrea        S'Neil

Greenlough   ---   ---   Claudy   GLOUGH
Ballymaguigan   ---   ---   Glack      QUIGAN
Moneymore    ---   ---    Slaughtmanus MANUS
Limavady   ---   ---   Ballerin   BALLERIN
Castledawson   ---   ---   Drumsurn   DAWSON
Glen   ---   ---   faughanvale             F/VALE
Desertmartin   ---   ---   Lissan         LISSAN
Ogra Colmcille   ---   ---   Foreglen   FGLEN



Sunday 19th May
Magilligan   ---   ---   Sean Dolans   MAGILLIGAN
Doire Colmcille   ---   ---   Magherafelt Thirds   THIRDS
Bellaghy Thirds   ---   ---   Drum    BELLAGHY
Ardmore   ---   ---   Doire Trasna  TRASNA

Loup    ---   ---   Slaughtneil    S NEIL
Bellaghy    ---   ---   Ballinascreen    SCREEN   
Magherafelt    ---   Craigbane       MAGHERAFELT
Lavey    ---   ---   Ballinderry       BDERRY
Dungiven    ---   ---   Steelstown    DUNGIVEN
Kilrea    ---   ---   Coleraine            C'RAINE
Banagher    ---   ---   Glenullin       GLENULLIN
Newbridge    ---   ---   Swatragh     N'BRIDGE


Foreglen    ---   ---   Desertmartin    FGLEN   
Slaughtmanus    ---   Ballymaguigan    S'MANUS   
Faughanvale    ---   Limavady       VALE
Ballerin    ---   ---   Greenlough    G'LOUGH   
Claudy    ---   ---   Ogra Colmcille    CLAUDY   
Lissan    ---   ---   Castledawson    LISSAN   
Drumsurn    ---   ---   Moneymore    M'MORE
Glack    ---   ---   Glen       GLEN


Doire Trasna    ---   ---   Doire Colmcille    TRASNA
Drum            ---   ---   Magilligan    MAGILLIGAN
Sean Dolans    ---   ---   Ardmore    ARDMORE
Magherafelt Thirds    ---   ---   Bellaghy Thirds    BELLAGHY

Ballinascreen    ---   Banagher     SCREEN   
Slaughtneil    ---   Bellaghy    BELLAGHY   
Coleraine    ---   ---   Loup    LOUP   
Craigbane    ---   ---   Lavey    LAVEY   
Swatragh    ---   ---   Kilrea    KILREA   
Dungiven    ---   ---    Newbridge  DUNGIVEN     
Steelstown    ---   Ballinderry     BDERRY
Glenullin    ---   ---   Magherafelt  GLENULLIN     

Desertmartin    ---   ---   Claudy  CLAUDY     
Faughanvale    ---   ---   Glack    FVALE     
Glen    ---   ---   Slaughtmanus GAC  GLEN     
Ogra Colmcille    ---   ---   Ballerin    BALLERIN   
Ballymaguigan    ---   ---   Drumsurn    BQUIGAN   
Moneymore GAC    ---   ---   Lissan  LISSAN     
Castledawson    ---   ---   Foreglen    DAWSON   
Limavady    ---   ---   Greenlough    GLOUGH   

Doire Colmcille    ---   ---   Sean Dolans    DOLANS
Bellaghy Thirds    ---   ---   Doire Trasna    TRASNA   
Magherafelt Thirds    ---   ---   Drum    THIRDS
Ardmore    ---   ---   Magilligan    Ardmore   ARDMORE

Thursday18th   
Glenullin    ---   ---   Ballinderry    BDERRY   

Sunday 21st April 2013

Coleraine    ---   ---   Banagher         COLERAINE
Swatragh    ---   ---   Bellaghy          BELLAGHY
Steelstown    ---   ---   Craigbane     CBANE
Dungiven     ---   ---   Loup              DUNGVEN
Ballinascreen    ---   ---   Lavey        SCREEN
Newbridge    ---   ---   Kilrea            KILREA
Slaughtneil    ---   ---   Magherafelt  SNEIL


Moneymore GAC ---   ---   Claudy          CLAUDY   
Desertmartin    ---   ---   Greenlough     GREENLOUGH   
Glack           ---   ---   Slaughtmanus     MANUS
Castledawson    ---   ---   Ballerin          C'DAWSON   
Faughanvale    ---   ---   Drumsurn        VALE   
Limavady     ---   ---   Ogra Colmcille     LIMAVADY   
Glen            ---   ---   Lissan                 GLEN   
Ballymaguigan    ---   ---   Foreglen       F'GLEN

Doire Trasna    ---   ---   Drum    n        TRASNA     
Doire Colmcille    ---   ---   Ardmore      ARDMORE   
Bellaghy Thirds ---   ---   Magilligan      BELLAGHY     
Magherafelt Thirds ------   Sean Dolans DOLANS