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Shane Heavron is undoubtedly a very talented footballer and a brilliant penalty taker. However I think it was Shane's own decision to leave the panel as he felt that he was not getting enough game time. The counter argument apparently was that he did not have the work rate for modern football. I do not know how accurate that assessment  is because I did not see enough of him playing for Derry.

He is 29 now SO THIS WILL BE VERY MUCH A MAKE OR BREAK YEAR IF HE WANTS TO SERIOUSLY BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SENIOR COUNTY PANEL.

Anybody see other possible recruits for Senior call ups?Are Cahir McMonagle and Peter McCullagh possibles in this regard? Of course Ryan Dougan and Jack Doherty would be decided assets if they declared themselves available. Anybody know if Matthew and Enda Downey are fit again?

I don't buy that at all, he's one of the best forwards in the county & a big game player, he'd be a serious addition to that panel at 29...by all accounts Rory shafted him

No man would have slept better in his bed last night than Lavey manager Gary Cushnehan.

A searing platter of humiliation kindly handed to Damian Cassidy, no doubt a settling of scores for his role in sending Lavey down a division.


As for the Lavey performance,  I have not seen them perform as well since their glory days.

Has a sleeping giant just been awakened?

Lol

I genuinely can't believe the Derry County Board are even considering this -  surely they had  moved passed him & if Ciaran Meenagh wasn't in a capacity to continue then after the year Derry have had they've moved into a totally different bracket to attract top men.

just on that, really who is the candidates apart from O'Rourke? There isn't too many I can think of

He is finished in the GAA, no one would touch him now at this stage.

He isn't finished in the GAA though?

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ulster-gaa-appoints-independent-panel-to-review-allegations-against-former-derry-boss-rory-gallagher/a1456301395.html

Heard a rumour there has been a court case or something like since the time which exonerates RG and he will be taken back by Derry next year.

You've your finger on the pulse re Gallagher, are these the same rumours you heard before or a new source?
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Heard something very similar

Was orourke sounded out?

Talk that he was, but wasn't interested

Are Derry going to try to bring Rory Gallagher back in?

No chance. RGs reputation is in tatters. He'll never get near a team again.

watch this space..

Murdock is without doubt a great prospect, but McEvoy has been competing against the cream of the crop. If Derry were to face Kerry next season I wouldn't be suprised if he is given the task of marking Clifford and McKaigue picking up the likes of Geaney.

Even as a Down man I'd have to concede that McEvoy would be well ahead of Murdock is the running for young poty.

His father a Down man too

Will Gallagher stay on though? Hard to believe he hadn't influenced still in that set up. His cousin became very prominent anyway along the sidelines the past few months . Think current management should be well entitled to keep work they are doing going. If Gallagher is gone next year will be the real test for them when starting off from the start on their own.

Have i missed something?
Is Gallagher not gone before the ulster Final?

Of course he's gone. Silly talk to suggest that he'll be back and I doubt very much he'll ever be allowed near a GAA dressing room again.

Will Ciaran Meenagh stay? Will he have the backing of the players? Hearing that Malachy O'Rourke has been sounded out. Watch this space.

I'd imagine Malachy has unfinished business at Glen.

Surely the Derry job if it became available would be one of the most sought after for a manager at the present time? Couldn't see an appointment being made from within...MOR the ideal candidate if Meenagh stepped aside

It will be a difficult approach I feel, tactically do Derry stick with cautious defensive early approach and take advantages of counter attacking Kerry?

Or do they say, f**k it, let's go out and die with our boots on and unlock the chains?

Derry will definitely go with the cautious defensive approach. In fact, i think they go back to the tactics that served them well in 2022. Ultra defensive, intense, counter attacking. All 15 within their own 45. 2023 has saw them commit bodies further forward, but this approach will be cast aside on Sunday.
Glass in particular will have to maintain a position quite close to his full back line. Derry will be susceptible to direct high ball into Guiney and D Clifford.

Have Derry senior footballers ever beaten Kerry in a championship match in their history?

Yea the also beat Kerry 2 -11 to 1-13 (after extra time)  in the 1984 Centenary at Tuam .... Damian Cassidy was the star and scored one of the Goals i think

I know it's only the league, but forgot about this one https://munster.gaa.ie/event/allianz-football-league-division-1-kerry-v-derry/

It will be a difficult approach I feel, tactically do Derry stick with cautious defensive early approach and take advantages of counter attacking Kerry?

Or do they say, f**k it, let's go out and die with our boots on and unlock the chains?

Derry will definitely go with the cautious defensive approach. In fact, i think they go back to the tactics that served them well in 2022. Ultra defensive, intense, counter attacking. All 15 within their own 45. 2023 has saw them commit bodies further forward, but this approach will be cast aside on Sunday.
Glass in particular will have to maintain a position quite close to his full back line. Derry will be susceptible to direct high ball into Guiney and D Clifford.

Have Derry senior footballers ever beaten Kerry in a championship match in their history?

Yep, 1958 All Ireland Semi Final.....

In the 2 semis - I expect that Derry's defensive system won't hold out simply because Kerry have too many good players with power & speed and they don't play with the fear that paralyses lesser teams, they will punch holes in it with increasing regularity as the game goes on.  I don't think Derry have enough up front either, Tyrone had 3 marquee forwards and none of them counted and when you consider McGuigan will likely get the treatment it wouldn't surprise me if he's off before half time in an 'accidental' collision, I don't see who is picking up the slack or helping him to a meaningful level.  I'd imagine Kerry will target Glass as well, quite possibly physically but I mean in disrupting his influence, he could well be man marked.

Without wanting to insult Monaghan I can't see them progressing to another level and the level that beat Armagh wont beat Dublin.  I did think Mayo gave up the ghost very easily last Sunday tho, they gifted 2 goals, missed an absolute sitter themselves, on another day that game would have been a lot closer, so maybe Monaghan can take some solace from that as they'll surely not give up the ghost, overall I'd say Kerry look to be in pole position.

Not much point Derry turning up then...

It will be interesting to see if Kerry can get as fired up for this game as they did for Tyrone, very hard to back that up twice in a row

Well let's hope Lynch doesn't get injured, could we not called in the U-20 keeper.

After the U-20 final I think not...postie a good safe option

[Thomas Mallon]

Was suprised Murray didn't make an appearance on Saturday. Seemed to be moving well in the warm up, so don't think there was an injury to be worried about.  Was it Thomas Mallon that was the sub keeper on Saturday? Think it was him working with Lynch before the match, but he was too far away to be 100%.

Hasn't he been goalkeeping coach for a few years, the irony of him being a goalkeeping coach

Still one of the best club keepers in Derry to be fair