Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[OakleafCounty]

Tyrone, Donegal and Kerry are examples of Counties that can find and develop talent into Senior County players from Intermediate and Junior clubs. Derry have always failed to bring these players from Minor through to Senior with Murray being an exception.
Look at the All-Ireland winning minor team in 2002. There were starters from a wide range of clubs including Craigbane, Drumsurn and Steelstown who were then a Junior club but it was only really the St. Pats and St. Mary's boys who graduated through.
Kerry's system of having divisional teams competing in the Senior Championship seems to work well while Tyrone do really well in developing players from the non traditional areas like Cathal McShane, Brian Dooher and Paschal McConnell.
Paddy Cunningham who was a very good player for the Antrim Seniors and won a Sigerson Cup originally was from the Waterside and played underage for Ardmore. I don't think he would have been given a sniff of County Football if he had stayed in Derry.

[Mario]

I think your club, the level you play at and what side of the Glenshane you live on are irrelevant. 95% of county players these days get their chance due to performances in the development squads and there are plenty of North Derry and intermediate players on those, so far the majority of them just haven't been good enough or committed enough to make the jump. There will always be more South Derry players on the team as that's where the majority of the players are.

I also think the culture point is nonsense. Gaelic football is as big a deal in Dungiven and Banagher as it is in Bellaghy or Maghera. Clubs like Eoghan Rua have to go through a lot more upheaval to even exist in the first place.

[Ryan O]

I think your club, the level you play at and what side of the Glenshane you live on are irrelevant. 95% of county players these days get their chance due to performances in the development squads and there are plenty of North Derry and intermediate players on those, so far the majority of them just haven't been good enough or committed enough to make the jump. There will always be more South Derry players on the team as that's where the majority of the players are.

I also think the culture point is nonsense. Gaelic football is as big a deal in Dungiven and Banagher as it is in Bellaghy or Maghera. Clubs like Eoghan Rua have to go through a lot more upheaval to even exist in the first place.

What upheaval would that be now? Utter nonsense

[Mario]

I think your club, the level you play at and what side of the Glenshane you live on are irrelevant. 95% of county players these days get their chance due to performances in the development squads and there are plenty of North Derry and intermediate players on those, so far the majority of them just haven't been good enough or committed enough to make the jump. There will always be more South Derry players on the team as that's where the majority of the players are.

I also think the culture point is nonsense. Gaelic football is as big a deal in Dungiven and Banagher as it is in Bellaghy or Maghera. Clubs like Eoghan Rua have to go through a lot more upheaval to even exist in the first place.

What upheaval would that be now? Utter nonsense

Didn't they have a lot of issues getting a pitch for years

[Ryan O]

I think your club, the level you play at and what side of the Glenshane you live on are irrelevant. 95% of county players these days get their chance due to performances in the development squads and there are plenty of North Derry and intermediate players on those, so far the majority of them just haven't been good enough or committed enough to make the jump. There will always be more South Derry players on the team as that's where the majority of the players are.

I also think the culture point is nonsense. Gaelic football is as big a deal in Dungiven and Banagher as it is in Bellaghy or Maghera. Clubs like Eoghan Rua have to go through a lot more upheaval to even exist in the first place.

What upheaval would that be now? Utter nonsense

Didn't they have a lot of issues getting a pitch for years

Every club is the same, trying go get some land, maintain it try and buy a bit more.

Just because Coleraine is the most recent doesn't mean they had any more upheaval as opposed to the rest. Think you could rhyme off a few clubs who had clubrooms burned down etc and had to start all over again.

[JuniorAllstar]

Personally team I would go with.

                Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
        Toner,  Mc Guigan,  Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

Maybe, but maybe not. Derry Championship always seemed to have a really good team prevailing during my lifetime, Bellaghy and Ballinderry stand out in my mind, Slaughtneil too have edged in there in recent years, with once in a generation teams (Loop, Coleraine, Glenullin) winning every once in a while.  I dont remember the Watty's ever being in a senior county final before the last few years, maybe their talent availability was poor! (That's a joke btw there's always been talent there) Only this last few years that Glen and Magherafelt seem to have come into the mix at the business end of the season.

I remember speaking to a Lavey man and he told me that after their win in 93 he thought that was it and they would be challenging every year.

[JuniorAllstar]

Personally team I would go with.

                Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
        Toner,  Mc Guigan,  Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

For want of  better word, north Derry is almost a 'wastleland' in football terms. I'm not using that word in a derogatory way.  The culture just isn't there. There's plenty of clubs there who are doing great work and have great facilities etc. Great people but the culture just isn't there went compared with south Derry.

That's in comparsion to south Derry where the gaa culture is rampant.  Maybe that's to do with it being a big nationalist area and the GAA is embedded in everything they do, between clubs and schools etc.  Historically that's the way it's always been. So in a way, it's a traditional thing also.

Derry City is a huge untapped area for the gaa. Again, great people putting in huge work against the grain.

If Derry could get a few real good players from north Derry, it'd be some boost. I don't know north Derry players well enough to comment. 

I think your are right - there isnt the players there at the moment. But here, what would you give for a McKeever, Sean Marty or a Mark Lynch at the moment? (I was going to say Brolly but then I caught myself on  )

[lenny]

Personally team I would go with.

                Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
        Toner,  Mc Guigan,  Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

For want of  better word, north Derry is almost a 'wastleland' in football terms. I'm not using that word in a derogatory way.  The culture just isn't there. There's plenty of clubs there who are doing great work and have great facilities etc. Great people but the culture just isn't there went compared with south Derry.

That's in comparsion to south Derry where the gaa culture is rampant.  Maybe that's to do with it being a big nationalist area and the GAA is embedded in everything they do, between clubs and schools etc.  Historically that's the way it's always been. So in a way, it's a traditional thing also.

Derry City is a huge untapped area for the gaa. Again, great people putting in huge work against the grain.

If Derry could get a few real good players from north Derry, it'd be some boost. I don't know north Derry players well enough to comment. 

I think your are right - there isnt the players there at the moment. But here, what would you give for a McKeever, Sean Marty or a Mark Lynch at the moment? (I was going to say Brolly but then I caught myself on  )

I'd take Brolly and paddy bradley over the other 3 any day. We badly need a few scoring forwards and those 2 were as good as any we've had. Lockhart and mckeever would be useful though in defence if we had them.

[roadsidefox]

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

Nonsense.

Derry's best player in the last 25 years was from Glenullin. Their most exciting/skillful player in that time was his brother. Their most consistent player was from Banagher. His club mate holds the record for most appearances for the Ireland compromise rules team.
Not to mention Gerard O'Kane, Barry McGoldrick or Sean Leo McGoldrick.

The current panel boasts 4 players from Derry city - all who have played NFL this season already, not token additions. All from Steelstown. How many clubs in south derry can say that?

If you took every player from Kilrea, Swatragh, Loup, Ballinascreen and Castledawson (all south Derry Div.1 clubs), I'd wager it was many years before they've had 4 players between them represent Derry in the NFL. Why can those clubs not produce players, given all the obvious advantages they have? Why are they not pulling their weight?

[Derry Optimist]

Re the South Derry versus North Derry discussion as to which is the better provider of elite players or teams there should be no bias shown in favour of either part of the County. In any given year the selection of County panels all depend on a host of other factors and not on the Geographical area where the individual players were  born.

 Mind you, if I were to look back on who would make Derry's first fifteen over the years since 1958 when the Senior team reached the All Ireland final, there would be at least nine players, from what is known as the traditional North Derry district, making strong claims for starting berths!! Equally there would be at least nine South Derry players making strong claims for inclusion in the top fifteen. What is more each line of the team would be included in that fifteen!! Perhaps some generous sponsor would organise a charity event for the selection of those Golden 18.!!

[Ryan O]

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

Nonsense.

Derry's best player in the last 25 years was from Glenullin. Their most exciting/skillful player in that time was his brother. Their most consistent player was from Banagher. His club mate holds the record for most appearances for the Ireland compromise rules team.
Not to mention Gerard O'Kane, Barry McGoldrick or Sean Leo McGoldrick.

The current panel boasts 4 players from Derry city - all who have played NFL this season already, not token additions. All from Steelstown. How many clubs in south derry can say that?

If you took every player from Kilrea, Swatragh, Loup, Ballinascreen and Castledawson (all south Derry Div.1 clubs), I'd wager it was many years before they've had 4 players between them represent Derry in the NFL. Why can those clubs not produce players, given all the obvious advantages they have? Why are they not pulling their weight?

I think the money Derry GAA have directly invested in the city may well have something to do with it. Theres 4 players from a club who I believe have won one game in the SFC in two years thats been down to group stage layouts. You believe they aren't token gestures, I probably wouldn't be as harsh as that but 100% the 5 clubs you named have better players that them 4.

Whether they are prepared to commit I don't know but ability wise they have better players.
Terence O'Brien
Patrick Coney
Patrick Kearney
Sean Kearney
Martin Bradley (Screen Already there)
Gearoid Mc Laughlin.

Alot these players weigh up not being available for their clubs but also not starting for county so end up with no football hence the reason why our bench is sitting with players who are either living out of the county or playing out of the county.

Also best in last 25 years?.have you forgotten Fergal Doc, Enda Muldoon, Paul Mc Flynn, Kevin McCloy, Conleith Gilligan,
Kevin Mc Guckian, James Kielt?

[themania1]

Tally showing Mickey Harte stubborness levels in still sticking with the  McNicholl GK experiment.

[OakLeaf]

Tally showing Mickey Harte stubborness levels in still sticking with the  McNicholl GK experiment.

The only reason I can think of is that its against Donegal and he's trying to keep his cards close to his chest. That said, we need to be playing with our best team at this stage. That named team isn't it.

[screenexile]

I think they're sticking to squad numbers rather than a set team. I reckon Lynch starts along with Bradley and Murray.

Would be amazed if McFaul starts after the shape he looked in last week.

[HiMucker]

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

Nonsense.

Derry's best player in the last 25 years was from Glenullin. Their most exciting/skillful player in that time was his brother. Their most consistent player was from Banagher. His club mate holds the record for most appearances for the Ireland compromise rules team.
Not to mention Gerard O'Kane, Barry McGoldrick or Sean Leo McGoldrick.

The current panel boasts 4 players from Derry city - all who have played NFL this season already, not token additions. All from Steelstown. How many clubs in south derry can say that?

If you took every player from Kilrea, Swatragh, Loup, Ballinascreen and Castledawson (all south Derry Div.1 clubs), I'd wager it was many years before they've had 4 players between them represent Derry in the NFL. Why can those clubs not produce players, given all the obvious advantages they have? Why are they not pulling their weight?

I think the money Derry GAA have directly invested in the city may well have something to do with it. Theres 4 players from a club who I believe have won one game in the SFC in two years thats been down to group stage layouts. You believe they aren't token gestures, I probably wouldn't be as harsh as that but 100% the 5 clubs you named have better players that them 4.

Whether they are prepared to commit I don't know but ability wise they have better players.
Terence O'Brien
Patrick Coney
Patrick Kearney
Sean Kearney
Martin Bradley (Screen Already there)
Gearoid Mc Laughlin.

Alot these players weigh up not being available for their clubs but also not starting for county so end up with no football hence the reason why our bench is sitting with players who are either living out of the county or playing out of the county.

Also best in last 25 years?.have you forgotten Fergal Doc, Enda Muldoon, Paul Mc Flynn, Kevin McCloy, Conleith Gilligan,
Kevin Mc Guckian, James Kielt?

Personally team I would go with.

                 Lynch
        Bradley, McEvoy, P Mc Grogan
          CD ,  Mc Faul, CMc Grogan/Cassidy
              Glass, Rogers
        Ethan,  Loughlin,  Paul Cass
         Toner,   Mc Guigan,   Murray

Couple lads there obviously only coming back to full fitness but long term and with no McKinless I think we need someone who organises middle if that defence along with giving Rogers more freedom.
Niall Loughlin will work his heart out in CHF with Murphy, Jody Mc D, Baker subs that are capable of doing a job. Anton tohill to full forward when needed towards end of any game has potential to change tactics.

Shall we just call the team South Derry from now on? 😃

We already call them that

I wonder why 3 or 4 different managers with the last 3 being outsiders still haven't found this talent thats hiding in North Derry?

Why has the Derry SFC championship only been won 3 times in 35 years by North Derry clubs 2 of which were by Dungiven.

Is that directly linked to talent availablity?

Nonsense.

Derry's best player in the last 25 years was from Glenullin. Their most exciting/skillful player in that time was his brother. Their most consistent player was from Banagher. His club mate holds the record for most appearances for the Ireland compromise rules team.
Not to mention Gerard O'Kane, Barry McGoldrick or Sean Leo McGoldrick.

The current panel boasts 4 players from Derry city - all who have played NFL this season already, not token additions. All from Steelstown. How many clubs in south derry can say that?

If you took every player from Kilrea, Swatragh, Loup, Ballinascreen and Castledawson (all south Derry Div.1 clubs), I'd wager it was many years before they've had 4 players between them represent Derry in the NFL. Why can those clubs not produce players, given all the obvious advantages they have? Why are they not pulling their weight?

I think the money Derry GAA have directly invested in the city may well have something to do with it. Theres 4 players from a club who I believe have won one game in the SFC in two years thats been down to group stage layouts. You believe they aren't token gestures, I probably wouldn't be as harsh as that but 100% the 5 clubs you named have better players that them 4.

Whether they are prepared to commit I don't know but ability wise they have better players.
Terence O'Brien
Patrick Coney
Patrick Kearney
Sean Kearney
Martin Bradley (Screen Already there)
Gearoid Mc Laughlin.

Alot these players weigh up not being available for their clubs but also not starting for county so end up with no football hence the reason why our bench is sitting with players who are either living out of the county or playing out of the county.

Also best in last 25 years?.have you forgotten Fergal Doc, Enda Muldoon, Paul Mc Flynn, Kevin McCloy, Conleith Gilligan,
Kevin Mc Guckian, James Kielt?

  Your on the wind up surely, too obvious