Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[tbrick18]

I was at the final yesterday. I was sitting 15mins before throw in, reading the programme, looking through both teams and substitutes thinking to myself 'we are so far away from both these panels'

The depth at the minute is an issue for us. Forget management, backroom teams and everything else. I don't think we have a panel to compete with the top 3 or 4 at the moment.

We talk about injures, we had Lynch, McCloskey, McKinless injured most of the year. And Lynch wasn't even starting for a lot of the season anyway. Kerry had Diarmuid O'Connor, Paul Geaney, Sean O Shea, Paudie Clifford, Tony Brosnan,Tom O'Sullivan missing for a lot of the season and were able to bring guys in & still have an impact from the bench.

A list of players on the bench yesterday.
Killian Spillane, Tadhg Morley, Paul Geaney, Michael Burns, Tony Brosnan, Diarmuid O'Connor, Conor Geaney, Dara Moynihan, Jamie Brennan, Jason McGee, Paddy McBrearty, Niall O'Donnell, Stephen McMenamin, Odhran McFadden Ferry.  We don't have talent like that on the bench. Armagh regularly have Conor Turbitt, Forkerm Mackin, Cian McConville, Greg McCabe, Jarly Og etc on the bench.

Our bench Vs Armagh in this years group game -
Louis Regan, Ryan Mulholland, Dan Higgins, Kevin Quinn, Anton Tohill, Tommy Rogers, Ben McCarron, Charlie Diamond, Cahir McMonagle, Caolan Devlin, Danny McDermott. Not a personal dig at anyone, but it's a serious drop off vs the teams above us.
For me, not 1 player named on our bench there would have made Kerry or Donegal's bench yesterday.

We're currently waiting for 3 All Ireland winning minor teams to make their way to senior. Kerry won 4 All Ireland Minors in a row in the mid 2010's. It's no guarantee of senior success but it's a fair start.

This is quite literally the strongest youth set up we've ever had in our history. Donegal finished the game relying on Murphy (36) and McBrearty (32) to get them over the line. Despite the 10 small corner forwards Tyrone seem to produce each year they still rely heavily on Mattie Donnelly (34) and Peter Harte (34). Armagh are no better, Stefan Campbell and Forker are both 33.

I know what camp I'd rather be in going forward.

In an ideal world we will have Toner, McKinless, McFaul & Rodgers all playing next season and they will be 32. Sometimes it's better to have a 32 year old McFaul or Rodgers, or a 34 year old Mattie Donnelly than an 18 year old Matthew Downey coming, no certainties in these things.

I think panel wise, were a right bit off it, and by the time the next stuff comes, a few more leaders will be gone or very close to gone.

Oisin McWilliams being listed by someone above, good player, but he was on the minor team of the year in 2017. The next time Derry kick a ball that'll be 9 years ago, sounds harsh but how long can we wait on a lad? Even Lachlan Murray, dynamite in some spells, but still hasn't stood up to be a regular starter in a team that's crying out for scoring forwards, really need him to kick on another level this year coming.

Callum Brown signed another 3 year deal yesterday in the AFL, he'll be 29 at the very least by the time he's back.

McWilliams was looking really strong under RG - before the injury hit. He might not make it back, but he at least has potential.
Murray played injured for this entire season, if we get him injury free he's a consistent scoring option.
Murphy - not sure what happened to him, but seems to have dropped off the radar.
McGurk in corner back this year I felt was strong and the other u20s who had senior championship forced on them this year will be the better for it going forward.


I agree we need to improve the panel, but that doesn't happen overnight. What we do have are 3 very strong teams coming through. The u20s imo are as strong as Tyrone if not stronger and they've just won 2 AI's and are pinning their hopes on them.

Injuries to players this year who would have, imo, been on the starting 15 against Donegal - McKinless, Nial Loughlin, McCloskey, Lynch. Add to that Rogers and McGrogan were returning from injury. Murray was playing injured all year and we'd lost Donnacha Gilmore to injury. Glass played the 2nd half injured against Donegal.
We went on to lose Bradley for the season too after he had a strong league.

I think we are shaping up rightly in terms of a panel if we get all those players fit. This year was a complete nightmare with injuries, meaning we had maybe 6-7 panellists in the starting 15, which in turn reduces the quality on the bench. Yes all teams get injuries, but we had too many to cope with this year and I don't think we're a big enough county to get a panel of 30+ all capable of being in the first 15.

[Mario]

The only thing i remember Oisin McWilliams doing for the senior team is coming on as a sub and scoring a great point v Dublin in Celtic park in 2023. Has he done anything else to warrant being mentioned on here every month as an option for the future.

[JohnDenver]

The only thing i remember Oisin McWilliams doing for the senior team is coming on as a sub and scoring a great point v Dublin in Celtic park in 2023. Has he done anything else to warrant being mentioned on here every month as an option for the future.

You can add Callum Brown to that bracket of being multiple mentions.

[oakleaflad]

The only thing i remember Oisin McWilliams doing for the senior team is coming on as a sub and scoring a great point v Dublin in Celtic park in 2023. Has he done anything else to warrant being mentioned on here every month as an option for the future.

He played in a good few league games 2 or 3 years ago. Athletic and a good footballer, who had a score in him too. Hopefully he can get back playing football and see from there.

[toby47]

The only thing i remember Oisin McWilliams doing for the senior team is coming on as a sub and scoring a great point v Dublin in Celtic park in 2023. Has he done anything else to warrant being mentioned on here every month as an option for the future.

Agree with you Mario, fella's being mentioned here as if they are all stars when they've barely played county or aren't standing out in club games a lot of the time. Then you mention Jamie Brennan and Paddy McBrearty and fella's dismiss them.

[Ryan O]

The only thing i remember Oisin McWilliams doing for the senior team is coming on as a sub and scoring a great point v Dublin in Celtic park in 2023. Has he done anything else to warrant being mentioned on here every month as an option for the future.

Agree with you Mario, fella's being mentioned here as if they are all stars when they've barely played county or aren't standing out in club games a lot of the time. Then you mention Jamie Brennan and Paddy McBrearty and fella's dismiss them.

Mc Brearty has been average at best since returning from a bad injury and probably only retains his place in the squad from a bit of Mc Guinness loyalty.
 
Has Jamie Brennan ever been a regular on Donegal team bar one really good season.
Don't buy into this narrative that Donegal squad is so much stronger than Derry we're particularly quick to play down our own men, alot of decent footballers in Donegal squad but as Kerry showed them there's more to it than super fit and systems.

[LoughNeagh]

10 Years since the passing of Aaron Devlin. RIP!

[toby47]

The only thing i remember Oisin McWilliams doing for the senior team is coming on as a sub and scoring a great point v Dublin in Celtic park in 2023. Has he done anything else to warrant being mentioned on here every month as an option for the future.

Agree with you Mario, fella's being mentioned here as if they are all stars when they've barely played county or aren't standing out in club games a lot of the time. Then you mention Jamie Brennan and Paddy McBrearty and fella's dismiss them.

Mc Brearty has been average at best since returning from a bad injury and probably only retains his place in the squad from a bit of Mc Guinness loyalty.
 
Has Jamie Brennan ever been a regular on Donegal team bar one really good season.
Don't buy into this narrative that Donegal squad is so much stronger than Derry we're particularly quick to play down our own men, alot of decent footballers in Donegal squad but as Kerry showed them there's more to it than super fit and systems.

McBrearty scored 1-15 in this years Ulster Championship, the same as we scored in our ulster championship campaign. This included 0-7 vs us, 1-4 vs Down, 0-3 vs Armagh. I'm not saying he's the level of Clifford or Con, but if we had a cell like this up alongside Shane, we'd be a hell of a lot better off, he wouldn't be on our bench that's for sure.

Yeh Jamie Brennan didn't get much of a run this year, got a goal vs us last year in the cship from memory. Again, he'd be a solid option. Jamie Brennan would be on the Derry team I reckon. My point was we're lacking in a panel of players that are able to come in and make an impact. I'd rather have a player like him than talking about Callum Brown coming home when he's 30. I'd rather have certainties on the squad than 'hopefullies and what if's'

[jb77]

Lachlan Murrays constant injury battles hardly helps, he shows what's he about with the power and kicking now and again like the Donegal game but rarely 100%

Maybe the likes of C Mcateer or Sean Kearney could help maybe not. Eamon young looks like a force in his limited time so far with newbridge seniors, only out of minors though. Championship will be the answer 

[NotedObserver]

The only thing i remember Oisin McWilliams doing for the senior team is coming on as a sub and scoring a great point v Dublin in Celtic park in 2023. Has he done anything else to warrant being mentioned on here every month as an option for the future.

Agree with you Mario, fella's being mentioned here as if they are all stars when they've barely played county or aren't standing out in club games a lot of the time. Then you mention Jamie Brennan and Paddy McBrearty and fella's dismiss them.

Mc Brearty has been average at best since returning from a bad injury and probably only retains his place in the squad from a bit of Mc Guinness loyalty.
 
Has Jamie Brennan ever been a regular on Donegal team bar one really good season.
Don't buy into this narrative that Donegal squad is so much stronger than Derry we're particularly quick to play down our own men, alot of decent footballers in Donegal squad but as Kerry showed them there's more to it than super fit and systems.

McBrearty scored 1-15 in this years Ulster Championship, the same as we scored in our ulster championship campaign. This included 0-7 vs us, 1-4 vs Down, 0-3 vs Armagh. I'm not saying he's the level of Clifford or Con, but if we had a cell like this up alongside Shane, we'd be a hell of a lot better off, he wouldn't be on our bench that's for sure.

Yeh Jamie Brennan didn't get much of a run this year, got a goal vs us last year in the cship from memory. Again, he'd be a solid option. Jamie Brennan would be on the Derry team I reckon. My point was we're lacking in a panel of players that are able to come in and make an impact. I'd rather have a player like him than talking about Callum Brown coming home when he's 30. I'd rather have certainties on the squad than 'hopefullies and what if's'

Seen Jamie Brennan playing in the league for Donegal when they put their sub team out v Tyrone. Thought he was v impressive and his quality stood out. He got v little game time afterwards

[tbrick18]

Lachlan Murrays constant injury battles hardly helps, he shows what's he about with the power and kicking now and again like the Donegal game but rarely 100%

Maybe the likes of C Mcateer or Sean Kearney could help maybe not. Eamon young looks like a force in his limited time so far with newbridge seniors, only out of minors though. Championship will be the answer 

Nial Loughlin also had very little football this year due to injury - he's a scoring option in there too and works his backside off.

[Stickittotheman]

Lachlan Murrays constant injury battles hardly helps, he shows what's he about with the power and kicking now and again like the Donegal game but rarely 100%

Maybe the likes of C Mcateer or Sean Kearney could help maybe not. Eamon young looks like a force in his limited time so far with newbridge seniors, only out of minors though. Championship will be the answer 

I actually think we have pretty decent forwards. McGuigan is top 5 in the country, maybe even top 3. Ethan Doherty was young player of the year couple of seasons ago. McFaul has it in his locker to be an All Star but just hasn't reached the level he can, Paul Cassidy blows hot and cold but when on it he is top drawer. Niall Loughlin offers so much off the ball and can chip in with points. Murray has potential to be a top top player.

Our problem is off the bench......

[shawshank]

Lachlan Murrays constant injury battles hardly helps, he shows what's he about with the power and kicking now and again like the Donegal game but rarely 100%

Maybe the likes of C Mcateer or Sean Kearney could help maybe not. Eamon young looks like a force in his limited time so far with newbridge seniors, only out of minors though. Championship will be the answer 

You do realise that size and power matters at the top end of winning championships at county level. Kerry haven't a starting forward under 6ft. This is one of Tyrone's major problems, all there best scoring forwards are small by county standards.  Conal (I think thats his name) Higgins has all the attributes needed for county football, big, fast and has a football brain, injured most of the year but hopefully will get over that and continue to progress, Sargent another young player injured but has size and power.

[GTP]

O'Neills Senior Football Championship
Wednesday 13th August 2025
Lavey --- v --- Drumsurn
TBC
Saturday 16th August 2025
Swatragh --- v --- The Loup
1 00 PM at Owenbeg (Ref: TBC)
Steelstown Brian Og's --- v --- Faughanvale
2 45 PM at Owenbeg (Ref: TBC)
Slaughtneil --- v --- Kilrea
5 30 PM at Owenbeg (Ref: TBC)
O'Donovan Rossa GAC --- v --- Ballinascreen
7 15 PM at Owenbeg (Ref: TBC)
Sunday 17th August 2025
Banagher --- v --- Glen
1 00 PM at Owenbeg (Ref: TBC)
Ballinderry --- v --- Bellaghy
2 45 PM at Owenbeg (Ref: TBC)
Sean O'Leary GAC Newbridge --- v --- Dungiven
4 30 PM at Owenbeg (Ref: TBC)

[Brendan]

Does literally every match have to be in owenbeg