Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[tbrick18]

I'd respectfully disagree - genuinely think our guys would stand on their own against anything outside the top 4 ... only time will tell!

Someday Derry supporters will realise the level the county is at in the pecking order of football in the country. . . soon hopefully!!

Yep.
We deserved to be in Division 4 and we will find Division 3 a struggle to get out of.
I think it would be a massive achievement for us to get out of Div3.
In terms of Championship, currently I'd put us slightly ahead of Antrim and Fermanagh in Ulster. Perhaps on a par with Cavan, slightly behind Armagh and Down but well behind the rest.
We don't have exceptional players in any position. We have some strong clubs and club players, but that hasn't translated into strong county players which isn't uncommon.
Our expectations should be around getting all the best players (who want to play) in the county on the panel and push for Div3 promotion and development of a team. By development, I mean creating a style of play that suits the type of players we have.
We used to have one of the tightest defence's in the country, we need to get back to that so that we can make ourselves difficult to beat. So we need at least a couple of man markers and 5-6 attack minded defenders.
We need at least one defensive midfielder (a workhorse, who can win a kick out and clean up dirty ball) and shore up defence when our attacking defenders get forward. We need a dynamic, athletic, strong running midfielder who will drive up and down the pitch all day, can take a score and can win a kickout.
And finally we need 1-2 tall strong forwards who stay forward and who can win their own ball so that the smaller less physical forwards that we already have can play off them and do the tracking back into defence.
That would be my ideal type of players to have, just don't know if we have them.

I think we need 3-5 years of a consistent panel, with consistent management and resources to consolidate a Div2 spot. From there we could kick on for an Ulster and hopefully further development.
There's no quick wins in this game.

Oh, and get rid of our esteemed Director of Football.

[Glenman93]

Good man brick
It must have taken you most of the day to find all the soundbytes from Sunday Game panellists over the year and piece them altogether. 😂😂😂
Usual nonsense.

[Squareball71]

Good man brick
It must have taken you most of the day to find all the soundbytes from Sunday Game panellists over the year and piece them altogether. 😂😂😂
Usual nonsense.

I'd say there are quite a few people around the County would agree with his last sentence. That's not nonsense.

[tbrick18]

Good man brick
It must have taken you most of the day to find all the soundbytes from Sunday Game panellists over the year and piece them altogether. 😂😂😂
Usual nonsense.

It's my opinion. I'd be surprised if TSG panellist had said much about Derry, but if they have and it's similar to what I've said we must be right. 
Instead of calling it as nonsense, how about you retort with some reasonable argument which demonstrates how it is nonsense. All in keeping with the ethos of a discussion board.
Or perhaps you don't have any self formed thoughts of your own?

[lenny]

Good man brick
It must have taken you most of the day to find all the soundbytes from Sunday Game panellists over the year and piece them altogether. 😂😂😂
Usual nonsense.

It's my opinion. I'd be surprised if TSG panellist had said much about Derry, but if they have and it's similar to what I've said we must be right. 
Instead of calling it as nonsense, how about you retort with some reasonable argument which demonstrates how it is nonsense. All in keeping with the ethos of a discussion board.
Or perhaps you don't have any self formed thoughts of your own?

McIver's job related to our underage structures because we'd been very poor for a decade or so at those levels. My impression is that we've improved a good bit at minor, u21, u17 and u20 in the last few years. I've no idea how much of that is due to McIver but in the last 4 or 5 years we're competitive again after years of getting beat in the first round. We also seem to be doing okay at u15 and u16. Perhaps people closer to the underage structures could give a more accurate opinion.
On yesterday, we had our chances and joe McQuillan made a very poor call in not allowing the advantage which meant we missed out a goal which could have been crucial. Kilcoo just had more experience but what a year for us.

[whitey]

https://youtu.be/cwuyruWmkzQ

About 4 mins in there's footage of Derry/Mayo challenge match from the early 90s. It was taken at the re opening of Ballintubbers pitch. There's a sing song in the pub afterwards

[Squareball71]

Good man brick
It must have taken you most of the day to find all the soundbytes from Sunday Game panellists over the year and piece them altogether. 😂😂😂
Usual nonsense.

It's my opinion. I'd be surprised if TSG panellist had said much about Derry, but if they have and it's similar to what I've said we must be right. 
Instead of calling it as nonsense, how about you retort with some reasonable argument which demonstrates how it is nonsense. All in keeping with the ethos of a discussion board.
Or perhaps you don't have any self formed thoughts of your own?

McIver's job related to our underage structures because we'd been very poor for a decade or so at those levels. My impression is that we've improved a good bit at minor, u21, u17 and u20 in the last few years. I've no idea how much of that is due to McIver but in the last 4 or 5 years we're competitive again after years of getting beat in the first round. We also seem to be doing okay at u15 and u16. Perhaps people closer to the underage structures could give a more accurate opinion.
On yesterday, we had our chances and joe McQuillan made a very poor call in not allowing the advantage which meant we missed out a goal which could have been crucial. Kilcoo just had more experience but what a year for us.

Why did you wait until 5 minutes from the end before trying the long ball into the FF line? It was causing panic to what was a fairly small FB line of Kilcoo. Your main players didn't perform as well as they have in the past and Kilcoo definitely moved the ball a lot quicker.

Regarding the advantage the whistle had blown a few seconds before the ball ended up in the net. Yes maybe he should have not been as quick to blow but once he did there was no going back on the decision. Kilcoo were the better side and I don't think that decision cost you the game.

[lenny]

Good man brick
It must have taken you most of the day to find all the soundbytes from Sunday Game panellists over the year and piece them altogether. 😂😂😂
Usual nonsense.

It's my opinion. I'd be surprised if TSG panellist had said much about Derry, but if they have and it's similar to what I've said we must be right. 
Instead of calling it as nonsense, how about you retort with some reasonable argument which demonstrates how it is nonsense. All in keeping with the ethos of a discussion board.
Or perhaps you don't have any self formed thoughts of your own?

McIver's job related to our underage structures because we'd been very poor for a decade or so at those levels. My impression is that we've improved a good bit at minor, u21, u17 and u20 in the last few years. I've no idea how much of that is due to McIver but in the last 4 or 5 years we're competitive again after years of getting beat in the first round. We also seem to be doing okay at u15 and u16. Perhaps people closer to the underage structures could give a more accurate opinion.
On yesterday, we had our chances and joe McQuillan made a very poor call in not allowing the advantage which meant we missed out a goal which could have been crucial. Kilcoo just had more experience but what a year for us.

Why did you wait until 5 minutes from the end before trying the long ball into the FF line? It was causing panic to what was a fairly small FB line of Kilcoo. Your main players didn't perform as well as they have in the past and Kilcoo definitely moved the ball a lot quicker.

Regarding the advantage the whistle had blown a few seconds before the ball ended up in the net. Yes maybe he should have not been as quick to blow but once he did there was no going back on the decision. Kilcoo were the better side and I don't think that decision cost you the game.

To be fair I agree with you on all those points. Having said that I'm reluctant to criticise the management at all because they've done a great job this year, unbelievable in fact. Hopefully this group will get another crack at ulster in the next few years. Good luck to kilcoo.

[Keyser soze]

Good man brick
It must have taken you most of the day to find all the soundbytes from Sunday Game panellists over the year and piece them altogether. 😂😂😂
Usual nonsense.

It's my opinion. I'd be surprised if TSG panellist had said much about Derry, but if they have and it's similar to what I've said we must be right. 
Instead of calling it as nonsense, how about you retort with some reasonable argument which demonstrates how it is nonsense. All in keeping with the ethos of a discussion board.
Or perhaps you don't have any self formed thoughts of your own?

McIver's job related to our underage structures because we'd been very poor for a decade or so at those levels. My impression is that we've improved a good bit at minor, u21, u17 and u20 in the last few years. I've no idea how much of that is due to McIver but in the last 4 or 5 years we're competitive again after years of getting beat in the first round. We also seem to be doing okay at u15 and u16. Perhaps people closer to the underage structures could give a more accurate opinion.
On yesterday, we had our chances and joe McQuillan made a very poor call in not allowing the advantage which meant we missed out a goal which could have been crucial. Kilcoo just had more experience but what a year for us.

Wouldn't be complaining about refs blowing early Lenny if i was you lol 

[theticklemister]

Magherafelt, Glen, and Banagher to the 'four' in Derry club Allstars

Twelve Allstar awards are evenly split between Derry champions Magherafelt, runners-up Glen and Banagher, the team beaten at the semi-final stage by the Rossas. Slaughtneil and Ballinderry are also represented in the 15 men chosen by Cahair O'Kane...


Magherafelt's Conor Kearns and Ciaran McFaul of Glen both make our Derry Club football Allstars select.
Picture Margaret McLaughlin
     
Cahair O'Kane
06 November, 2019 01:00

Derry team of the football championship

1. Darryl McDermott (Banagher)

HE may have worn the number one for Derry hurlers for a decade and more, but there's always been a sense that McDermott was every bit as good a football goalkeeper. This year he proved it to any doubters. The ability to float his kickouts out wide was a huge factor in Banagher's run to a semi-final. Made crucial saves against Swatragh and Bellaghy, and a brilliant stop from Conor McCluskey in their loss to Magherafelt.

2. Shane Murphy (Banagher)

THE all-action corner-back was arguably the outstanding player on the pitch in Banagher's surprise opening round win over Bellaghy. His goal-line clearance in the win over Swatragh, getting back behind McDermott to claw the ball clear just as it was sailing into the net, was a pivotal moment in their season as well. His pace was a real torture for opposition forwards.

3. Brendan Rogers (Slaughtneil)

CONTINUES to stand out an absolute mile in Derry club football. His ability to cope with all-comers in a one-on-one battle is one of the great strengths on which this Slaughtneil team has been built. At his leisure against Newbridge, he gave a masterclass in the quarter-final win over Ballinderry, enjoying total supremacy against Ryan Bell. Held a fairly tight leash on Emmett Bradley and tried in vain to drive his side to victory.

4. Ryan Dougan (Glen)

HAVING been moved from pillar to post in the early part of his senior career, Dougan has made something of a home for himself on the edge of the square for Glen. His standout display came in the first half of the semi-final win over Slaughtneil, where he did marvellous work in keeping Shane McGuigan off his left foot, only to get slipped once and earn a black card. Did a good job in the first half of the final when sent out to wing-forward to pick up Conor Kearns, but was missed on the edge of the square.

5. Conor McCluskey (Magherafelt)

STARTED as he went on with a tight-marking display on Ciaran McGoldrick, keeping him to a single point as the Rossas dethroned county champions Eoghan Rua. Had a tougher day against Benny Heron but his job on Peter Hagan was crucial in the semi-final, notably the way he turned his man on the back foot. Completely shut Jack Doherty out of the final with a diligent display at centre-back.

6. Connor Nevin (Ballinderry)

ALTHOUGH Ballinderry only had two games this summer, Nevin was central in both of them. Scored two goals and had a hand in another in their opening round hammering of Dungiven, where he drove the team from centre-back. Designated to pick up Shane McGuigan in the quarter-final, he was often left one-on-one with the Slaughtneil dangerman but managed to keep him scoreless from play with a fine performance.

7. Conor Kearns (Magherafelt)

BY the time the rest of Derry had caught on that Conor Kearns had become the heartbeat of the Magherafelt challenge, it was almost too late to stop him. Always a forward in days gone by, Adrian Cush pulled him to wing-back and gave him a licence. From there, Kearns ran games. His ability not just to time a run, but to back it up with the power and pace he has, made him a serious weapon. Scored the early goal against Banagher and the way he stepped up in the second half of the final was key to their success.

8. Gavin O'Neill (Banagher)

OF all the players that Rory Gallagher would have seen this autumn in Derry, you'd do well to find one he'd have been more impressed by than Gavin O'Neill. Transformed physically over the past few years since he took into personal training as the day job, the Banagher man will surely play county football in 2020. His fielding and the power and pace with which he ran at the opposition saw him stand out a mile.

9. Ciaran McFaul (Glen)

THE beating heart of this Glen team. That statement would have applied long before this year, but it was perhaps never more relevant as they reached their first ever county final. Seemed to be at the heart of absolutely everything in the famous semi-final win over Slaughtneil. Had a big influence on the first round turnaround against The Loup too, but his best was when he completely ran the show against Lavey as he shook the demons of 2018.

10. Danny Tallon (Glen)

IT was a quiet start to the championship for the Glen captain but as it went on, he stood taller and taller. Found his feet during the second half of the win over Lavey and never looked back. Dominated his battle with Keelan Feeney in the semi-final as he rotated between inside and out, and when they needed inspiration in the final, it was largely Tallon who provided it with four points from play in a real display of leadership.

11. Shane Heavron (Magherafelt)

IF you could clone Shane Heavron's left foot and sell it, you wouldn't have to worry about packing sandwiches into the lunchbox on a Monday morning. His free-taking ability always kept Magherafelt ticking over in terms of scores, which was particularly valuable for a side that wasn't free-scoring. He saved his best for last, turning in a superb display in the final, landing 0-5 (0-4f) to take his tally for the summer to 0-20 and earn the top scorer gong.

12. Christopher Bradley (Slaughtneil)

IN a summer when the Emmet's never quite hit their heights, 'Sammy' stood out in their attack. Netted against Newbridge and then scored the goal that clinched the game against Ballinderry, having run a lot of their attacking game. Despite having a crucial goal chance cleared off the line late on against Glen, he was still the fulcrum of their frontline that afternoon. His form has earned him a recall to the county setup.

13. Niall Moore (Banagher)

"WHO are those two wee fliers?" was the question on the lips of those that hadn't seen much of Banagher over the last 18 months, and were suddenly watching them come within a kick of a county final. The two fliers were the two Moore brothers, both of whom were outstanding as their lighting inside forward line. Niall just edges Tiarnan out of the team, having caused Bellaghy untold bother and then hit 1-2 in the win over Swatragh and then 1-1 in the semi-final against Magherafelt.

14. Alex Doherty (Glen)

WHILE not exactly an unknown in Oak Leaf circles, the impact that Alex Doherty has made this year has been ahead of its time. The 18-year-old is a pure bred finisher. Left foot, right foot, he's the archetypal inside man. Very sharp over 15 yards, his stunning goal against Lavey was a real turning point in their whole campaign. Kicked four points from play in the county final in front of a crowd of almost 10,000, one of the outside of either foot. A special talent.

15. Emmett McGuckin (Magherafelt)

A CAMPAIGN with a big start and a big finish. Rather than take away his focus, McGuckin's signing for Coleraine FC seems to have streamlined him. He looked lean and sharp throughout the championship, which was best emphasised by his man-of-the-match display in the decider. He kicked three points there and two in the semi-final, which marked an improvement on a facet of his game that wasn't always his strongest. It all started with his climb at the far post to palm home the crucial goal against Eoghan Rua.

[Glenman93]

If your county team is in Division 3 or Division 4 and only a couple of hundred turn up for the games, the people are telling the players that they will only grace them with their presence if they are playing at the top level. That's some message to give to players who train hard over the Winter and try their best against other counties in the Spring.

[JohnDenver]

If your county team is in Division 3 or Division 4 and only a couple of hundred turn up for the games, the people are telling the players that they will only grace them with their presence if they are playing at the top level. That's some message to give to players who train hard over the Winter and try their best against other counties in the Spring.

Derry played in Division 1 and 2 for years and the support was still shite so i don't know what your point is.

[oakleaflad]

I see Cathair Dhoire had their first win in the MacRory Cup last night. Defeated Inis Eoghain 1-17 to 3-10. Fair play to them.

[Keyser soze]

Joe Cass appointed Greenlough manager ..... replaced at Bellaghy by John McKeever.

[Glenman93]

I see Cathair Dhoire had their first win in the MacRory Cup last night. Defeated Inis Eoghain 1-17 to 3-10. Fair play to them.

Seven schools. Doesn't count.