With the outlook for the resumption of Senior inter county training beginning to look bleaker by the minute, Derry management and players can be reasonably happy with their progress after an improved performance in the Ulster Championship encounter against Armagh.
The high count rate of so many basic errors while in possession and some wayward shooting from bad positions were two of the main factors for that narrow defeat. However, with a greater level of determination and total focus on the task in hand throughout a whole game, these basic errors can readily be eliminated.
This should lead to more consistent high quality performances and hence better results. If management knows who their best eleven players are that means all the other panellists are fighting for four starting berths and five possible substitutes being introduced during any given game. This keen level of competition for places can only raise standards provided all players remain fully fit and available.
Allowing for the fact that Ethan Doherty will be required for the U20 team at the start of the League campaign and that Karl McKaigue will not be fully fit until April or May and that Enda Lynn is no longer on the panel I would select the following team to begin the 2021 National League.
Odhran Lynch
Paul McNeill Brendan Rogers Padraig McGrogan
Conor McCluskey Chris McKaigue Michael McEvoy
Ciaran McFaul Conor Glass
Jack Doherty Emmett Bradley Padraig Cassidy
Niall Toner Shane McGuigan Niall Loughlin
Substitues: Connlan Bradley Carlus McWilliams Conor Doherty Shea Downey Gavin O'Neill
Patrick Kearney Benny Heron Oisin McWilliams Danny Tallon
Ben McCarron Paul Cassidy
Poll