Derry v Monaghan this weekend. Will Derry stop the rot and win at home or will Monaghan carry on from their victory over Kildare?
Derry should have a few more personnel available than they did in their last game but will it be enough?
Derry +3. easier than the scoreline will suggest too.
Quote from: tbrick18 on February 29, 2012, 12:43:04 PM
Derry v Monaghan this weekend. Will Derry stop the rot and win at home
How dare you call us 'the rot'.
Quote from: Main Street on February 29, 2012, 07:18:50 PM
Quote from: tbrick18 on February 29, 2012, 12:43:04 PM
Derry v Monaghan this weekend. Will Derry stop the rot and win at home
How dare you call us 'the rot'.
I've called yous a lot worse in recent times!
Especially that Dick in midfield ;)
I haven't seen Derry play in ages and probably you have not seen Monaghan unless you caught their display against Kildare on TG4.
By all accounts Monaghan were very wasteful in the opening game against Meath, however against Kildare they couldn't hit a wide in the first half, I think it was 10 points from 10 shots at one stage. If Monaghan can maintain something close to that level of accuracy, they will be hard to beat. The squad look to have a good spring in their step. The full forward position (previously one of our weakest) is now occupied by yet another Scotstown Hughes (Kieran), who looks the part. Kildare cleaned out midfield but either couldn't get past our defence or just hit wide after wide. Dick Clerkin played his first game against Kildare after his return from his honeymoon. no small task for his testosterone levels to be thrown in against the wild Kildare men, but he does have that tranquil, self-satisfied and confident sheen about himself these days
Make or break game for Monaghan in terms of a measure of their improvement. Was Kildare a one off or are they making waves? Derry in Celtic Park has always been a poor ground for Monaghan but its not as if it will be packed with locals, Monaghan would expect to have a fair % of the crowd.
Hughes at FF is a big improvement based on his club form but county is a big step up and be interesting to see how he does. On his day he seems a real find. Good news that Tommy Freeman is back but unlikely to feature yet. I'd expect Lennon and Clerkin to be paired together and hopefully Darren Hughes will play at CB where he can influence the game.
Could be a close one and not be much in it either way. If its a tight game, I can see Derry shading it.
How is Derry's injury situation looking after the three week break?
Quote from: Keane on March 01, 2012, 01:18:27 PM
How is Derry's injury situation looking after the three week break?
Haven't heard anything for certain. I'd imagine McBride will be back but outside of that I dont know.
Derry have had two really bad games so far and have been particularly poor in the middle 3rd.
Hopefully the break will have allowed them to get some of the players returning from long term injury a bit more fitness and with the return of Enda Gormley to the panel we're bound to be in better shape than we were prior to the Tyrone game.
I'd go into this game hopeful as opposed to expectant.
What was Gerrard O'Kane's prognosis when he got injured?
Quote from: Keane on March 01, 2012, 03:25:57 PM
What was Gerrard O'Kane's prognosis when he got injured?
A knee injury of some sort afaik.
Someone on the Derry thread said he had just returned to training so that it would be unlikely for him to feature this weekend.
Quote from: tbrick18 on March 01, 2012, 02:36:33 PM
Quote from: Keane on March 01, 2012, 01:18:27 PM
How is Derry's injury situation looking after the three week break?
Haven't heard anything for certain. I'd imagine McBride will be back but outside of that I dont know.
Derry have had two really bad games so far and have been particularly poor in the middle 3rd.
Hopefully the break will have allowed them to get some of the players returning from long term injury a bit more fitness and with the return of Enda Gormley to the panel we're bound to be in better shape than we were prior to the Tyrone game.
I'd go into this game hopeful as opposed to expectant.
I thought it was a bit daft calling for the return to action by Fergal Doc and Kevin McGuck - but yer really stretching it here.
Maybe Wee Johnny could come back for his specialised game winning scores from wing half back ...
Tohills knee problems could preclude him from taking frees off the deck...
think you meant Enda Muldoon !! ;)
Quote from: tbrick18 on March 01, 2012, 02:36:33 PM
Quote from: Keane on March 01, 2012, 01:18:27 PM
How is Derry's injury situation looking after the three week break?
Haven't heard anything for certain. I'd imagine McBride will be back but outside of that I dont know.
Derry have had two really bad games so far and have been particularly poor in the middle 3rd.
Hopefully the break will have allowed them to get some of the players returning from long term injury a bit more fitness and with the return of Enda Gormley to the panel we're bound to be in better shape than we were prior to the Tyrone game.
I'd go into this game hopeful as opposed to expectant.
WFT, typing error, I assume he means Muldoon, a freudian slip perhaps wanting the glory days of the past to return, certainly not with this group of players. A long time since we had a group of quality players, the last endned about 2001.
Can't see a win at the weekend, the Derry players have shown over the past ten yrs that when the chips are down, few have the charcater to battle through. It would be a great lift and no doubt we'll go with hope, but at this stage I would take a gutsy performance more than anything else, especially after the gutless one in Omagh, our worst showing in a long long time.
Quote from: Bingo on March 01, 2012, 12:37:03 PM
Good news that Tommy Freeman is back but unlikely to feature yet.
I'd be surprised if he didn't get a bit of a run at some stage.
The Derry posters are lot more humble these days.
Where's Max gone to?
Quote from: camanchero on March 01, 2012, 04:22:22 PM
Quote from: tbrick18 on March 01, 2012, 02:36:33 PM
Quote from: Keane on March 01, 2012, 01:18:27 PM
How is Derry's injury situation looking after the three week break?
Haven't heard anything for certain. I'd imagine McBride will be back but outside of that I dont know.
Derry have had two really bad games so far and have been particularly poor in the middle 3rd.
Hopefully the break will have allowed them to get some of the players returning from long term injury a bit more fitness and with the return of Enda Gormley to the panel we're bound to be in better shape than we were prior to the Tyrone game.
I'd go into this game hopeful as opposed to expectant.
I thought it was a bit daft calling for the return to action by Fergal Doc and Kevin McGuck - but yer really stretching it here.
Maybe Wee Johnny could come back for his specialised game winning scores from wing half back ...
Tohills knee problems could preclude him from taking frees off the deck...
think you meant Enda Muldoon !! ;)
:D ;D
Talk about a typo! I had been reading through a few pages about glen and minors etc and it must have still been in my head!
He'd maybe get a game though.......
Long week lads...loooooonnnnng week.
;D
Quote from: Main Street on March 01, 2012, 06:43:27 PM
The Derry posters are lot more humble these days.
Where's Max gone to?
Not very far. ;)
Derry are shockingly bad at the minute.
So, the real hope that Derry folk have, is that Derry will succeed in dragging Monaghan down to their level?
Quote from: Main Street on March 02, 2012, 10:44:45 AM
So, the real hope that Derry folk have, is that Derry will succeed in dragging Monaghan down to their level?
random meaningless post alert! it's like discussion board tourettes
Quote from: Main Street on March 02, 2012, 10:44:45 AM
So, the real hope that Derry folk have, is that Derry will succeed in dragging Monaghan down to their level?
You mean like back in 2009 when you boys came to Celtic Park to fight?? How did that work out for Monaghan again?!!
Quote from: sheamy on March 02, 2012, 11:47:58 AM
Quote from: Main Street on March 02, 2012, 10:44:45 AM
So, the real hope that Derry folk have, is that Derry will succeed in dragging Monaghan down to their level?
random meaningless post alert! it's like discussion board tourettes
Quote from: screenexile on March 02, 2012, 12:08:43 PM
Quote from: Main Street on March 02, 2012, 10:44:45 AM
So, the real hope that Derry folk have, is that Derry will succeed in dragging Monaghan down to their level?
You mean like back in 2009 when you boys came to Celtic Park to fight?? How did that work out for Monaghan again?!!
Auch lads, don't bite on that!
It's so obviously a wind up....as how could anyone drag Monaghan any lower than they already are!
On the same theme, didn't Monaghan get a serious fine after their last match for fighting with Kildare. Common denominator
Any idea when lineups are likely to be announced?
The pertinent point in the game against Kildare was that Monaghan exhibited a first class disciplined display of scoring points from play. The impotent Lilywhites were put to the sword before half time. They were a beaten docket before the handbag skirmish.
Personally, I don't read too much into that one game.
Anyway, isn't it obvious that Derry are struggling to play good football, good enough to beat a team like Monaghan?
Maybe I missed something in previous posters' comments but I thought I detected a kind of gloom, almost despair, mixed in with a bit of (commendable) blind optimism?
Maybe the pressure of the game will inspire Derry to do enough to win and lift the gloom. I'd say its 50/50 with Monaghan having the stronger 50.
I don't think anyone in Derry is under any illusions at the moment....we've an injury list as long as your arm including quite a few players returning from long term injury, we don't seem to be as fit as we should be and form is not good.
We've had 2 very poor games in a row and it would be naive to think that all the problems are going to be fixed in the space of 3 weeks.
It's impossible to guess at how the game will go as a result. We cant be any worse than we were against tyrone, we should have improved a bit given the return of McBride and O'Kane from injury but it's difficult to say if we've come on enough to beat Monaghan.
I'd agree it's a 50/50 game, but Derry need to win more than Monaghan and we're at home (even if it is Celtic Park) so I'm going to tip Derry by a point.
Quote from: Main Street on March 02, 2012, 01:28:39 PM
The pertinent point in the game against Kildare was that Monaghan exhibited a first class disciplined display of scoring points from play. The impotent Lilywhites were put to the sword before half time. They were a beaten docket before the handbag skirmish.
Personally, I don't read too much into that one game.
Anyway, isn't it obvious that Derry are struggling to play good football, good enough to beat a team like Monaghan?
Maybe I missed something in previous posters' comments but I thought I detected a kind of gloom, almost despair, mixed in with a bit of (commendable) blind optimism?
Maybe the pressure of the game will inspire Derry to do enough to win and lift the gloom. I'd say its 50/50 with Monaghan having the stronger 50.
its Monaghans to win (providing they dont drag it down into scraps and give Derry a chance as in a fight mode - all games are 50-50 ....unless its Tyrone as them buxtaurds are masters at that oul craic !!).
IMO Derry are a month behind in fitness, continuity and team cohesion. Let alone big question marks over some playing personnel.
We have talent, but its on paper only right now.
Hopefully we will be right by championship, but I dont hold out much hope for this game unless Monaghan do one of their famous implosions!
I'd say Monaghan would be favourites. With Gilligan out in addition to all the others, it's not gonna help matters. Mind Kildare and Donegal have both lost their opening two games as well. The league is a funny auld beast. This time last year Tyrone had lost their opening two games. In the words of that great City Gael Peter Cunnah 'Things can only get better'....
Having seen the Derry team Monaghan are big favourites imo.
1 Barry Gillis
2 Brian McCallion
3 Chrissy McKaigue
4 Aidan McAlynn
5 Mark Craig
6 Michael Bateson
7 Sean Leo McGoldrick
8 Michael Friel
9 P J McCloskey
10 Neill Forrester
11 Cailean O'Boyle
12 Barry McGoldrick
13 Mark Lynch
14 Paddy Bradley
15 Enda Lynn
16 Kevin Farren
17 Michael Drumm
18 Ryan Scott
19 Gerard O'Kane
20 Brian Doyle
21 Charlie Kielt
28 Patsy Bradley
27 Blaine Gormley
24 Enda Muldoon
25 Conleith Gilligan
26 Emmett McGuckin
Seemed like an easy enough win for Derry, never under threat at any time, led from start to finish.
The game was so poor that even Michael Tynan's ramblings on Northern Sound were more interesting.
Aye an easy win alright. Derry had a strong wind in first half and made use of it especially after Monaghan went down to 14. Monaghan failed to make use of the elements, but to be honest the wind had slowed and the wind had been taken from their sails in the first half.
Monaghan set up in a very defensive mood. This usually makes Derry struggle but the Farney failed to do it properly; they set up their defensive plan between 25m to 45m out and left enough space for Lynn and co to make runs inside the 21m line. Tyrone do this properly they set up home from the 14m line ou and make life very difficult for opposing teams and especially Derry.
Derry improved in the middle sector with PJ McCloskey and Neil Forrester winning clean ball and breaking ball respectivley. They moved the ball quicker also and there were better runs from the inside trio.
Much improved performance but Monaghan didnt seem their own bustling themselves. Even Dick Clerkin gave a wry smile on a few occasions; usually he would just thump ye!!! ah oul Dick good GAA man and good player; not his best day today.
At what stage was the Monaghan red card? Who got it?
Standout players for Derry? Heard P Bradley got six.
Poor performance from Monaghan. Wasn't at the game, but from listening to it on the radio, it seems we were cleaned out at midfield for the second game in a row. That's a big problem for us. I think Darren Hughes is wasted at #3 and should be brought into midfield. As well as helping 'steady the ship' there, he's also more likely to pick off a few scores without leaving the defence exposed.
I Can't understand the placing of Darren Hughes at full back either! Especially when you have Dessie Mone and Corey there for FB.
Hughes is an exceptional footballer and a real powerhouse. If it were my team he would be CHB of MF.
On a couple of occasions he burst up the pitch before playing an accurate kick pass to FF line, then had to turn on his heels and sprint back to his man!
Quote from: Maguire01 on March 04, 2012, 07:24:27 PM
Poor performance from Monaghan. Wasn't at the game, but from listening to it on the radio, it seems we were cleaned out at midfield for the second game in a row. That's a big problem for us. I think Darren Hughes is wasted at #3 and should be brought into midfield. As well as helping 'steady the ship' there, he's also more likely to pick off a few scores without leaving the defence exposed.
If Dick Clerkin would quit trying to write men off and start playing football, the midfield would be better off. I thought he said in that book recently he had grown up after his previous antics in Celtic Park. Not on last nights performance.
Quote from: Keane on March 04, 2012, 12:55:17 PM
At what stage was the Monaghan red card? Who got it?
Standout players for Derry? Heard P Bradley got six.
I missed the Monaghan red and still havent a tinkers cuse as to why Forrester got the road
Bradley had a super game, is making great strides to being back to his best.Even in Healy Pk a few weeks ago, most of the Derry team didnt want to know, Bradley was still bustin his hole showing for every ball...some man for one man
The entire defensive unit played well. McKaigue was excellent @ fullback, best Ive seen him in the senior jersey
Mark Craig was my standout player. Sean Leo was everywhere as usual, great block to deny a goal in the 2nd half, some engine
PJ and Friel cleaned Lennon and Richard out in midfield...Lennon was pushed into ff and McKaigue handled him well
Half forward unit did well, Forrester had another good game, brings some much needed speed and energy to the party. Barry McGoldrick landed an absolutely thumper of a point in the 2nd half
But you have to put the performance in context by asking how off were Monaghan? The next few weeks should answer a few questions
Monaghan were atrocious and a number of things annoyed me.
1. We set up far too defensively in the first half and all that did was (A) invite Derry onto us and (B) gave us no outlet to move the ball up field when we had it as we were playing with no half forward line. At one stage for a couple of minutes we had one player in Derry's half (Kieran Hughes) and he was standing at full forward. The nearest teammate to him was in our half!!! Who was going to be able to kick it into him against that wind and if they did, what was he supposed to do on his own?
2. Donal Morgan (a corner back) was named at #11. The tactic was obviously to withdraw him to cover the full back line and play an extra man back there but this back fired completely. As the Ticklemister says; we set up our defensive blockade too far out the field meaning that all Derry had to do was kick it in over our boys' heads (which was easily done with that wind) and there was still plenty of space for their full forward line to wreak havoc, which they did.
3. If we were going to drop Morgan back an play an extra defender why not give him a man to pick up (he's a corner back anyway) and make Darren Hughes, our best player, the free man as this would allow him to get on much more ball and influence the game more?
4. We didn't get out of the blocks at the start at all. Derry were about 6 points to nil up before we did anything and what did we lose by? 6 points.
5. We ended up with Eoin Lennon at full forward? Has anyone ever seen this before? I don't recall it ever happening. Clueless and desperate management. And then when we moved a big man in there two of the four balls that went in to him were the "out in front" type balls that the likes of Tommy Freeman or Kieran Hughes would want. If we're going to go desperate and put a big man in there then do it properly and bombard the square any chance we get.
6. Derry cleaned us out in midfield, either fielding cleanly or mopping up the breaking ball. We needed more men in there to compete for the breaking ball. All too often a Monaghan man was jumping to compete for the ball with two or three Derry men around to pick up the breaks.
7. On a more general note; I just can't stomach this management team. Whether it's setting the team up all wrong in Derry or standing on the sideline with their arms folded in Tullamore watching Offaly destroy us in the qualifiers last year and doing nothing about it, there is an air of cluelessness in everything they do (or don't do). I don't like saying that and I'm not one of those keyboard warriors who goes round slagging and giving out but I just can't warm to this set up. I hope they prove me wrong but I doubt it.
Silver linings???
Great to see Tommy Freeman back. He looked sharp when he came on and will no doubt improve our scoring threat, which is blunted without him.
When we did start to play there was commitment and effort there. It was just too late in this game. I don't really blame the players for the bad start in a way. The management set them up all wrong and must accept responsibility for that. I don't think we're as good as 0-17 against Kildare would suggest but we're not as bad as 0-8 against Derry would suggest either.
Anyway, roll on Louth!!! A must-win and a can-win game.
was good to see a couple of Asian folk @ Celtic Pk on Saturday, seemed to enjoy the evenings entertainment
delighted with the win, one swallow not making a summer and all that but we know Derry have talent. Monaghan Ithought did also but just obv had a bad game.
Derry never cease to surprise us - good and bad.
Quote from: sheamy on March 04, 2012, 07:48:35 PM
If Dick Clerkin would quit trying to write men off and start playing football, the midfield would be better off. I thought he said in that book recently he had grown up after his previous antics in Celtic Park. Not on last nights performance.
What book would that be?