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Fantastic result for the minors today , it would have been so cruel to have lost that game as a result of the error at the end ,  congratulations in particular to Mark Doherty on his man of the match performance,

Agree fully and Mark Doherty was outstanding both in the semi and yesterday. Really drove Doire on when they most needed to. Very intelligent and selfless player. Doire abú!

First of all Congratulations to Derry Minors on their fantastic achievement in beating Meath in the All Ireland semi final last Saturday. This is really an exceptionally all round talented side led by an inspirational captain in Matthew Downey.I hope that they win the final this weekend. By the same token one must also praise Paddy Bradley and his U20 side for their whole hearted performance on last Friday night against a very good Monaghan side who had won back to back Ulster Minor titles for the last two years. Considering that they were short  at least six starting players, for a variety of reasons, to lose by only four points was no mean achievement.

Derry's Seniors' display against Donegal in Ballybofey yesterday was simply their best championship performance since they beat Armagh in the Ulster semi final 10 years ago in 2011.Though considered complete underdogs Derry could have and probably should have won this thrilling encounter of top class football  between two outstanding teams. Rory Gallagher, Ciaran Meenagh et al have worked wonders in developing Derry's full potential as a really competitive  team progressing rapidly up the ladder of the best sides in the country. It was only inexperience which prevented yesterday's superb performance from causing a huge upset in the eyes of all GAA pundits, except the Derry management and players. Two goal chances were spurned,  the wrong scoring option was taken on four  further occasions and a stonewall penalty decision went against them. Also Donegal's astute marking cleverly made Derry's kick out strategy very difficult for Odhran Lynch whereas Shun Patton was able to find his target receivers much easier thanks to having more options always available. However, in the greater scheme of things  all of the above, except the refereeing decision, can be  easily  rectified.

Every player is fully committed, knows what is expected of them both individually and collectively. The management team deserve huge credit for all of this rapid progress. I firmly believe that Derry are only about four more elite players away from challenging for major honours. We need two extra dangerous scoring inside forwards, another top class athletic midfielder to  relieve the tiring non stop work rate of Conor Glass and Emmett Bradley in the final quarter of games and similarly a commanding central defender to complement the already brilliant play of Chrissy McKaigue, Gareth McKinless, Padraig Cassidy and Conor Doherty.

I have no doubt that  amongst the current panel and the present U20 and County minors there are enough quality players who can step up to the required standard. Another bonus would be if a certain other Australian based player would come home to complement  the inspirational Conor Glass  who has restored Derry's traditional high standard midfield play to its former glory.

All round it is great to see Derry County Senior football on the up and up after so many years in the doldrums. To hear Sunday Game panellists Ciaran Whelan and Tomas O'Sé praising  how  impressed they were with a great Derry side was lovely and refreshing to hear on the National airwaves last night. That has not happened for ten years at least.As a gesture of their utmost confidence in their three football management teams ie Senior,U20 and Minor, the County Board should immediately ratify their continuation for the year 2022 and beyond immediately.

Good spake. Pride has been restored and if we can maintain the standard of yesterday, consistently, will do well in Div 2.  Some promising footballers coming through as well. Very proud of progress made and hard work and effort put in by so many behind the scenes but especially the players and management. Doire abú!

The Royals will face either Monaghan or Derry in the All-Ireland MFC semi-final on Saturday week.

It is Doire - with a captain called Downey!!!! 

Great result.  The strong start stood to them throughout.  Another welcome underage Ulster football title which feeds into an upward curve.  Restores the pride!  Doire abú!!   

The far side of the Bann always seems greener! Doire abú! Good luck to Doire tomorrow- wiil the team named start?!

1700hrs on Sat @ Croke Pk. On TG4 I believe

Sin é! Doire abú. 👍

Some awful decisions by Hughes. Doire did dig in well though before halftime and in 3rd quarter. Injury to Rodgers seemed to unsettle them but they still saw it out so game management improving. Cavan cynical enough at times. 3 good results in a row!! No harm for confidence!

Interesting read in the IN about the young lad from Watty Grahams, Ciaran McCloy;

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2021/02/15/news/ciaran-mccloy-2220581/


It's a pretty common story in Ireland sadly as we culturally have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol especially at too young of an age. Most come through those years unscathed but a lot don't.

I had a similar journey in my late teens early 20s, still live with it somewhat. Its a major problem, drugs is a growing monster

Would you say it's a more visible problem in towns and cities like Derry or Belfast?  Maghera is obviously a town too, but I would say there are no shortage of drugs in rural areas and rural GAA clubs - but it possibly wouldn't be as evident.

I don't think it is that 'visible' but the bouncers are the ones who could tell you best - they have to deal with it and the 'energy' some of the drugs give the users.  Cocaine is available everywhere apparently and 'affordable'.   A couple of ours still left at home who would socialise at weekends in normal times.  They say that the younger ones are more into 'pills' and other drugs than alcohol as it can be a 'cheaper' night than buying drink in a bar/club - and easier to disguise and conceal outside of pubs than cans etc.  Cocaine slightly older age-group, maybe early twenties on - only a couple of phone messages away, still often delivered in toilets with the grooves of a house key/car key being used to snort.  We have always talked to them about this stuff so they are fairly open about it - they would say that 'drugs' are the new norm as opposed to drink.  Scary.  Fair play to young McCloy for being so open.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-56061942

Fingers crossed we are all back soon

Sooner the better. Read for the first time yesterday that schools back can raise the R number by between 0.3-0.6. That would put the current R level over 1. Secondary schools may not be back until after Easter.

Near 1000 Youtube Views 

Very good!! 

Think it should ok.  Nothing that a good walk up Sliabh gCallann wouldn't solve but very sad that a poster on here would get some sick joy from a sectarian murder.  Such is current life, online or off.

Well Screen? Or have you gone to bed as well?

I mean seriously, how can any Celtic supporter - of which I count myself as one, and have done since 1987 - read the above and not be totally f**king ashamed and outraged at the f**king pathetic, gaslighting reaction from the club?

Some here are only interested in shooting the messenger which speaks volumes about them

Do some people really take their internet personas and/or support for a football team so seriously that they lose all moral compass?

It certainly seems so

You are correct.  Recently Milltown Row 2 has deemed it ok to mock a relative of mine who was murdered (throat cut) by the Shankill Butchers and added that I try "evo stick".  How sick is that?

As far as I can see you lost the head on the rugby about something from another thread (which I don't know and I'm not going back to look for it) and kept saying you weren't drinking... I think the Evo Stick jibe was meant to ask are you sniffing glue instead... I'm not sure what meaning you've taken from it but that was my take and pretty sure how it was meant.

And what about the Shankill Butcher jibe?  You ok with that?

I mean seriously, how can any Celtic supporter - of which I count myself as one, and have done since 1987 - read the above and not be totally f**king ashamed and outraged at the f**king pathetic, gaslighting reaction from the club?

Some here are only interested in shooting the messenger which speaks volumes about them

Do some people really take their internet personas and/or support for a football team so seriously that they lose all moral compass?

It certainly seems so

You are correct.  Recently Milltown Row 2 has deemed it ok to mock a relative of mine who was murdered (throat cut) by the Shankill Butchers and added that I try "evo stick".  How sick is that?

As far as I can see you lost the head on the rugby about something from another thread (which I don't know and I'm not going back to look for it) and kept saying you weren't drinking... I think the Evo Stick jibe was meant to ask are you sniffing glue instead... I'm not sure what meaning you've taken from it but that was my take and pretty sure how it was meant.

A
You have totally misread things.  Would expect more from a great club like Screen.