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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)

[McCloy, McCusker and McGuckin]

I'm just hoping that McErlain has learnt from his mistakes. He was always going to make some, the acid test will be whether he has accepted his mistakes and learned from them before the championship and, probably more realistic, in time for the Division 4 promotion push next year.

I know he has tried to bring youth through and get rid of those who he considers not good enough and unlikely to improve, but calling up lads who haven't played senior football for their clubs (and trying to call up a 17 year old who was deemed, by McErlain himself, not good enough to start for Derry Minors only 4 months previously) has cost us hugely.

Anyone else remember when McCloy, McCusker and McGuckin was our full back line... Compare that to now and all becomes clear.

Don't recall those 3 starting in the full back line together

I have the memory of a goldfish so I'll concede that I'm probably wrong on that.

But all 3 definitely played in defence together, so my point is still relevant.

I'm just hoping that McErlain has learnt from his mistakes. He was always going to make some, the acid test will be whether he has accepted his mistakes and learned from them before the championship and, probably more realistic, in time for the Division 4 promotion push next year.

I know he has tried to bring youth through and get rid of those who he considers not good enough and unlikely to improve, but calling up lads who haven't played senior football for their clubs (and trying to call up a 17 year old who was deemed, by McErlain himself, not good enough to start for Derry Minors only 4 months previously) has cost us hugely.

Anyone else remember when McCloy, McCusker and McGuckin was our full back line... Compare that to now and all becomes clear.

Scored the most goals in the division.

Conceded the most goals in the division.

I think it's clear where the issues lie. It's possible to score well with a youthful, speedy forward line, but you aren't going to go too far without some experience and maturity in defence. Yes, Rogers and Chrissy immediately make a huge difference in there, but it's worrying that we're relying on two specific men to come back.

Onwards and upwards - it can't get any worse now...

Well. That's that, then.

Some encouraging signs yesterday against a poor Wexford outfit. Looked like we had a bit of a better game plan going forward but still lots to work on regarding a kickout strategy and decision making let them down a few times.

McKinless - There is no gameplan regarding kickouts but he hit them out accurately on top of midfield or short to defence for the most part. Hit a great kickout to Toner who was free at a stage but also hit one over sideline. Was unlucky with one of the goals.
McCloskey - Solid and wasn't troubled much. Encouraging.
Johnston - Started in full back but ended up a bit further out the field. Sound in possession. Decent outing.
Mooney - Gave away far too many frees when in corner back, virtually every ball that came in. Pushed out the field as the game wore on and did well bar one or two dodgy passes. Looks more like a half back.
Hagan - Stuck to their 11 well and even when he was beat out in front don't remember him being passed or giving away frees. Decent in possession.
McWilliams - Put in a couple of good tackles and was really good in possession. Did kick a couple of wides.
McKaigue - Willing outlet for short kickouts, got more involved as the game wore on. Ended up in corner back in the second half. Makes a difference in defence. Solid in possession.
McAtamney - Best game I've seen him play in a Derry shirt. Kicked 6 from play and always a willing runner when Derry were building their play. Solid under kickouts. MOTM.
Bradley - Played really well too. Carried the ball well and ran at their defense causing problems. Scored 1-01 making a great adjustment for the goal. Solid under kickouts.
Cassidy - His kick passing was sublime and had a great first half. Kicked a great score. Was a bit less involved in second half but offers some threat running at opposition. Made a difference.
Heron - Did ok. Kicked a good score but I think he gave possession away cheaply one time too. Think he picked up a knock (possibly was him who collided with their keeper) and was replaced at HT.
Lynn - Seemed to be lacking in confidence at a stage after a couple things just didn't go his way but kept running all game and kicked a couple scores.
Toner - Full of running all game. Always looked to make something happen and kicked a couple good scores. Good performance.
Lynch - Solid performance. Kicked his frees well. Showed and laid off a few balls. Still an important player for us.
McGrogan - Was very impressed. Played in his own half. Comfortable in possession. Got forward well for his goal. Offered option for short kickouts. Ended up in full back at a stage at the end before being dismissed on a second yellow. 

McGuigan - Looked the classiest forward on the pitch when he came on. Kicked a couple great scores. Made a difference.
Tallon - Never really got into the game after being introduced.
O'Brien - Tried hard around the middle when he came on and did rightly. Kicked a good score from a free over 50 yards out with the breeze.

Agree with pretty much all of that to be honest.

Just want to mention the point scored in second half, was it McGrogan? Shot from more or less exactly the intersection of the 45 and the sideline out on the right side hand side, wind carried it over. It was top class.

Some very, very good football played today but its still very streaky - 5 mins of good stuff followed by 5 mins of falling asleep.

The most encouraging thing, for me - we were reverting to the old sideways and backwards hand passing at start of second half and McErlain lost his temper and guldered "Forward! Forward!"... That's exactly right.

The Slaughtneil boys are making a difference. Karl was solid, Padraig Cassidy is a class act and Shane McGuigan showed some effortless touches when be came on.

If we can sort out the consistency we'll maybe be half decent.

Just in from Armagh and although Derry lost this was a much improved performance against a good Armagh side. Derry led by 2 at the interval and this was with Armagh scoring a fortunate goal after the ball had come off the post. Great to see the  Slaughneil players back.  It would be wrong to attribute the improved performance to their presence as none of them started and none of them were on during Derry's dominant first half period. Anyway predictions of dire outlook for Derry football are a bit premature as there was plenty to be positive about tonight

That's encouraging to hear. I was worried we'd get battered. Any players stand out?

Big boots to fill but by far the best team in the county; a golden goose or a poisoned chalice?

I wouldn't be taking it. If the names rumoured to be considering travelling are true, I'm not sure they'd still be by far the best team, but there'd still be the huge pressure to succeed.

who has been rumoured? In the past they've paid big money for outside managers

It wouldn't be fair on them for an anonymous Internet poster to spread names based on second - hand rumours but I will say I'm not talking about substitutes.

Big boots to fill but by far the best team in the county; a golden goose or a poisoned chalice?

I wouldn't be taking it. If the names rumoured to be considering travelling are true, I'm not sure they'd still be by far the best team, but there'd still be the huge pressure to succeed.

I heard John Joe had stepped aside too. Big boots to fill now.

Presuming that all of of Slaughtneil County Senior panellists are back at least for the last two league games against Wexford and Sligo respectively my preferred Derry starting  line out for those two vital fixtures would be:
                                                        Ben McKinless
Kevin Johnston                                Brendan Rogers                     Karl McKaigue
Liam McGoldrick                               Chris McKaigue                       Michael Bateson
                                     Conor McAtamney            Padraig Cassidy
Benny Heron                                    Emmett Bradley                      Enda Lynn
Niall Toner                                        Terence O'Brien                      Shane McGuigan
                                                     

That is a decent looking side, just not sure if/when the Slaughtneil boys will be back.

Hearing Mickey Moran took some serious verbal abuse from  Slaughneil supporter(s) after the game. Incredible if true, after what he has done for that club?

Will he stay for another year?  Their management team must have an average age of 70

Think it was a minority of mouthpieces. We all have those.

And no, that's him done now (rumour has it) 

Genuinely shocked to see Patsys name in the Irish News' team of the week. Personally though he contributed nothing bar a block.

Don't think it is north v south debate. It is a Celtic Park V club venue debate. With Sundays school game offering tangible evidence

Personally thought Padraig Cassidy was the standout player on the Slaughtneil team, if not the best player on the pitch. He's got a serious engine and is the best "footballing" midfielder they've had for years.

The north v south, city v country debate has been done to death and isn't particularly helpful, but I do personally think that they should have at least some of the games in either Owenbeg or one of the good club pitches. I can see the thinking behind promoting the game in the city but when you look at the crowd that was there for a double header, you just have to wonder if they're banging their heads off a brick wall.

I actually like Celtic Park and I don't mind travelling up there but I'm in the minority among my friends and clubmates, I know that for a fact. And if the attendances are anything to go by, it's not just this area that thinks the same.

I do remember a minor game a few years ago being taken to Celtic Park on, I think, a Tuesday night. Glen v Ballinderry.  That was one of the most pointless exercises I can ever remember. Both teams travelling to the far corner of the county, literally driving past Owenbeg and a load of good club pitches en route. Bit weird.