Quote from: tbrick18 on July 18, 2023, 10:10:42 AMQuote from: ahyewillyewillyewill on July 18, 2023, 10:06:39 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on July 18, 2023, 08:53:59 AM
We need to remember that until Gallagher came along, we hadn't won an Ulster championship game in years.
Meenagh was already there before Gallagher arrived too so credit where its due.
I think it's clear now that the combination of both are what brought Derry on.
Without Gallagher we prob wouldn't be at the level we are at now. The same could be said of Meenagh.
For what it's worth, meenagh should be given the chance to remain if he wants it.
If there's any notion by derry County board to appoint a new manager, there is only one option out the and that is malachy o'rourke, but I'd want meenagh still on the ticket for consistency.
O'rourke might not want that.
The conversation on North derry South derry bias has been rumbling on for years for the derry senior team.
I don't believe it exists. If a player is good enough, a manager will want them. What benefit would it be to anyone to not select best players based on their club? Every manager wants to win and if they think a player will help them do that they'll try to get them on board.
The question around how do we improve north derry clubs is a different one. Really what you are talking about in the city is to change the family culture of the vast majority and to get them to take kids to football from u6s and keep them at it. It has to start at that level. Changing that family mindset in those areas will eventually improve the standards in schools and eventually at senior level. There is no quick fix. I'm not sure promoting the games with coaches is the answer either.
How do you change that culture? No idea. Soccer is still prevalent in the city. How do we sell gaelic games to the population of derry in such a way that its compelling to families who traditionally only have a passing interest in gaa? Of course there are hard-core gaels in the city, but not enough to regularly provide county players at the required level.
As for established clubs in North derry, almost all seem to struggle with numbers, with dungiven/banagher perhaps the exception. That's perhaps a geographical issue, so perhaps merge a few clubs? Controversial I know, but perhaps it would be to the benefit of all? I've got no answers to be honest, but I don't agree that there is deliberate bias against North derry players.
Meenagh needs to get the job, for a year anyway, he hasn't put a foot out of line... but Derry County board being Derry County board will more than likely screw this up...
I think that's actually unfair on the current board.
Things have definately changed at DCB level in the last 5-7 years. I think we have to give them credit at least for the senior and minor football team support and structures.
A lot of that credit goes to the coaching and games manager Chris Collins....
As for for County Board...they knew full well the history of the last senior manager and yet still employed him, he only went when the heat got turned up and public opinion changed..
I'll say again.. they knew full well....
