Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[tbrick18]

Now that the dust has settled and I've had time to think about the game I think it's safe to say Derry just didn't perform as well as we know these players can and that certainly frustrated me.
From where I was sitting at the game, we just looked flat all over the field. We can't use the rules as an excuse for that entirely, but they are probably a contributing factor. We're trying to adopt the rules and take on the ethos of a new manager whilst also coping with the loss of some key players through injury and retirement.
So we're bound to get bumps in the road.

I've said before on here relegation isn't the end of the world provided the performances are improving and for a couple of weeks there against Kerry and Galway it looked like they were, but the Dublin game feels like a step back.

We could (and maybe should) have beaten Kerry and Galway. Tyrone was just a game too early for us I think. But that would have left us on 4 points and reasonably comfortable.

The positives to take so far are that we have some of our long term injured returning, McGrogan, Loughlin and hopefully McCloskey. We've also blooded some new players in Bradley, Doherty (#2), McMonagle, McGrogan (#2) and that will do them the world of good.
The negatives are we've lost McKinless for the year, a behind other teams in terms of prep due to the late appointment of the manager. I don't think fitness is an issue tbh, these guys all look after themselves anyway. One of the single biggest factors about losing RG was his motivational ability - these players seemed to lift their game for RG and play beyond themselves. It doesn't feel like the players are motivated in the same way now - but that might just be my perception.
I do think it's a mistake playing McNicholl in goals rather than Lynch, but again that's opinion and I could well be wrong on that.

For the rest of the league, we just need to work on improving on performances and really work on a varied kickout strategy that isn't just lump it down the middle. It puts us under too much pressure.

I do think we could pick up points against Donegal - I don't think Jim will show his hand in that game. He'll want us going into prelim as blind as possible to them. Mayo are certainly beatable even if they are improving and Armagh still are a bit of an enigma imo and could be beat. We had their number for a while until last year so time will tell.

All is not lost

[Estimator]

In fairness, we are going nowhere as a county if the fans (and players) keep pining after RG. That's done and dusted. We've had 3 Temp/Full time managers since then. One of them even one a national trophy.

We did the same with Coleman (very different circumstances) after '94 and it hung over the county for years.

History repeating itself?!?

[Keyser soze]

Poor performance all round on sat night, apart from first 15 mins. Conceding soft goals has been our achilles heel for nigh on a year now, its not just a problem since Neill McNicholl started in goals.

This time last year we looked great in the league and look how the year panned out. I would rather we were poor and had room to improve that a repeat of last years form line.

This is the time to try out different things, different positions and different players. I wouldn't be too critical of the players or management, we were late to the party and that's been especially important this year with all the new rules, a wee bit of perspective from some people that should know better would be welcome.

[Mario]

https://x.com/PlayerGaelic/status/1893943299926552967?t=_PeP-JaMtse4j_J2aa7tDg&s=19

This sums up Derry the other night. Hopeless 50/50 ball kicked in with loads of easier options for the pass. Dublin don't take any risks with the kick pass even though they've loads of space. Walk it out, handpass it up the pitch, men standstill watching Dublin players run past them and they get a point. Howard must have thought it was a training match.

[Derry Optimist]

Rather than dwelling  on the negative aspects of Derry's performance on Saturday  - much of it justified - let both management and players get back to what they do best. Let them prepare and plan what was said at half time in the Galway game and more importantly play as they performed in that second half against the Tribesmen.
 
Then, as Galway manager Padraic Joyce said, they dictated the middle third sector, defended brilliantly with intensity and the forward line led by the magnificent Lachlan Murray applied the finishing touches to secure a well-earned draw.

Let us  pick defenders who can defend and forwards who can score and a middle third who can defend, score and most of all dictate the possession stakes especially from kick outs. With a fully - fit squad I have no doubt that the following team will make a real impact in this year's championship.
            O Lynch
D Baker M Bradley C McCluskey
C Doherty E McEvoy P McGrogan
      C Glass   B Rogers
P Cassidy  C McFaul  E Doherty
N Loughlin S McGuigan  L Murray

Substitutes- A Scullion, Mark Doherty, D Gilmore, A Tohill, R Forbes, N Toner, C Murphy, Declan Cassidy, R McCarron,C McMonagle, N O'Donnell.

[seanyb]

Rather than dwelling  on the negative aspects of Derry's performance on Saturday  - much of it justified - let both management and players get back to what they do best. Let them prepare and plan what was said at half time in the Galway game and more importantly play as they performed in that second half against the Tribesmen.
 
Then, as Galway manager Padraic Joyce said, they dictated the middle third sector, defended brilliantly with intensity and the forward line led by the magnificent Lachlan Murray applied the finishing touches to secure a well-earned draw.

Let us  pick defenders who can defend and forwards who can score and a middle third who can defend, score and most of all dictate the possession stakes especially from kick outs. With a fully - fit squad I have no doubt that the following team will make a real impact in this year's championship.
            O Lynch
D Baker M Bradley C McCluskey is he anywhere near back to full fitness?
C Doherty E McEvoy P McGrogan
      C Glass  B Rogers
P Cassidy  C McFaul  E Doherty
N Loughlin S McGuigan  L Murray

Substitutes- A Scullion not part of panel, Mark Doherty, D Gilmore long term injury?, A Tohill, R Forbes, N Toner, C Murphy, Declan Cassidy, R McCarron,C McMonagle, N O'Donnell long term injury?

[toby47]

Rather than dwelling  on the negative aspects of Derry's performance on Saturday  - much of it justified - let both management and players get back to what they do best. Let them prepare and plan what was said at half time in the Galway game and more importantly play as they performed in that second half against the Tribesmen.
 
Then, as Galway manager Padraic Joyce said, they dictated the middle third sector, defended brilliantly with intensity and the forward line led by the magnificent Lachlan Murray applied the finishing touches to secure a well-earned draw.

Let us  pick defenders who can defend and forwards who can score and a middle third who can defend, score and most of all dictate the possession stakes especially from kick outs. With a fully - fit squad I have no doubt that the following team will make a real impact in this year's championship.
            O Lynch
D Baker M Bradley C McCluskey is he anywhere near back to full fitness?
C Doherty E McEvoy P McGrogan
      C Glass  B Rogers
P Cassidy  C McFaul  E Doherty
N Loughlin S McGuigan  L Murray

Substitutes- A Scullion not part of panel, Mark Doherty, D Gilmore long term injury?, A Tohill, R Forbes, N Toner, C Murphy, Declan Cassidy, R McCarron,C McMonagle, N O'Donnell long term injury?

SeanyB is right - Scullion is gone, Gilmore & ODonnell wont be playing in the next few months.

McCluskey is said to be about 4/5 weeks away, he's missed almost a year's football, lets hope he can find form straight away, but a tough ask considering he will be fired straight in vs oppositions top forward.
McGrogan, don't be surprised if he doesn't hit top form this season, tough to come back from a cruciate and hit top for straight away.
Baker, I think he's been found out slightly with new rules, he is a decent ball carrying defender, but not the best man marker despite being one of the '3' that stays back.
Bradley, has played very little, could have what it takes...but also may not.

Bench still seriously light, Is there much more coming through in the immediate future? Have all the Downey's dropped off/never come through? Vs Dublin, Kerry, Donegal, Galway etc in an AI Quarter/Semi in Croke Park, who is coming off the bench to make a big difference or win a game?

Murray played in the 2022 Ulster Final and we said hopefully he's the man to step up and help Shane, it's 2025 and were still saying the same. Still can be called young, but he's not that young.

In 2020 Vs Armagh the team was below
Derry - O Lynch, P McNeill, B Rogers, C McWilliams, E Doherty, C McKaigue, P McGrogan, C McFaul, C Glass, D Tallon, E Lynn, P Cassidy, E Bradley, S McGuigan, N Loughlin. Subs: P Kearney for D Tallon (46), O McWilliams for P McNeill (60), P Cassidy for E Lynn (64), A Doherty for P Cassidy (69) .

We were relaying on Rogers, Doherty, McGrogan, McFaul, Glass, Shane McGuigan then, who else has broke into that leadership/main player bracket since? McCluskey/CD? whilst losing Chrissy, Herron & Bradley. Loughlin/Paul Cassidy still knocking around also.

When can we expect the next Chrissy/Rodgers/Shane/Glass/Doherty/McCluskey to come through? Young from Newbridge perhaps? Any more enroute?

Slightly negative I know, but while we have 5 or 6 players capable of winning all stars, I also feel we have 5/6 players getting game time that wouldn't be guaranteed a place on the Glen team at the moment.

[statto]

Rather than dwelling  on the negative aspects of Derry's performance on Saturday  - much of it justified - let both management and players get back to what they do best. Let them prepare and plan what was said at half time in the Galway game and more importantly play as they performed in that second half against the Tribesmen.
 
Then, as Galway manager Padraic Joyce said, they dictated the middle third sector, defended brilliantly with intensity and the forward line led by the magnificent Lachlan Murray applied the finishing touches to secure a well-earned draw.

Let us  pick defenders who can defend and forwards who can score and a middle third who can defend, score and most of all dictate the possession stakes especially from kick outs. With a fully - fit squad I have no doubt that the following team will make a real impact in this year's championship.
            O Lynch
D Baker M Bradley C McCluskey is he anywhere near back to full fitness?
C Doherty E McEvoy P McGrogan
      C Glass  B Rogers
P Cassidy  C McFaul  E Doherty
N Loughlin S McGuigan  L Murray

Substitutes- A Scullion not part of panel, Mark Doherty, D Gilmore long term injury?, A Tohill, R Forbes, N Toner, C Murphy, Declan Cassidy, R McCarron,C McMonagle, N O'Donnell long term injury?

SeanyB is right - Scullion is gone, Gilmore & ODonnell wont be playing in the next few months.

McCluskey is said to be about 4/5 weeks away, he's missed almost a year's football, lets hope he can find form straight away, but a tough ask considering he will be fired straight in vs oppositions top forward.
McGrogan, don't be surprised if he doesn't hit top form this season, tough to come back from a cruciate and hit top for straight away.
Baker, I think he's been found out slightly with new rules, he is a decent ball carrying defender, but not the best man marker despite being one of the '3' that stays back.
Bradley, has played very little, could have what it takes...but also may not.

Bench still seriously light, Is there much more coming through in the immediate future? Have all the Downey's dropped off/never come through? Vs Dublin, Kerry, Donegal, Galway etc in an AI Quarter/Semi in Croke Park, who is coming off the bench to make a big difference or win a game?

Murray played in the 2022 Ulster Final and we said hopefully he's the man to step up and help Shane, it's 2025 and were still saying the same. Still can be called young, but he's not that young.

In 2020 Vs Armagh the team was below
Derry - O Lynch, P McNeill, B Rogers, C McWilliams, E Doherty, C McKaigue, P McGrogan, C McFaul, C Glass, D Tallon, E Lynn, P Cassidy, E Bradley, S McGuigan, N Loughlin. Subs: P Kearney for D Tallon (46), O McWilliams for P McNeill (60), P Cassidy for E Lynn (64), A Doherty for P Cassidy (69) .

We were relaying on Rogers, Doherty, McGrogan, McFaul, Glass, Shane McGuigan then, who else has broke into that leadership/main player bracket since? McCluskey/CD? whilst losing Chrissy, Herron & Bradley. Loughlin/Paul Cassidy still knocking around also.

When can we expect the next Chrissy/Rodgers/Shane/Glass/Doherty/McCluskey to come through? Young from Newbridge perhaps? Any more enroute?

Slightly negative I know, but while we have 5 or 6 players capable of winning all stars, I also feel we have 5/6 players getting game time that wouldn't be guaranteed a place on the Glen team at the moment.

To be fair to Murray Derry don't get a point against Galway without him, strange he isn't starting as seems a quality player who is best placed take the scoring burden off McGuigan.  What Happened the lad Murphy from Magherafelt he looked a decent prospect in last years league?

[tbrick18]

Rather than dwelling  on the negative aspects of Derry's performance on Saturday  - much of it justified - let both management and players get back to what they do best. Let them prepare and plan what was said at half time in the Galway game and more importantly play as they performed in that second half against the Tribesmen.
 
Then, as Galway manager Padraic Joyce said, they dictated the middle third sector, defended brilliantly with intensity and the forward line led by the magnificent Lachlan Murray applied the finishing touches to secure a well-earned draw.

Let us  pick defenders who can defend and forwards who can score and a middle third who can defend, score and most of all dictate the possession stakes especially from kick outs. With a fully - fit squad I have no doubt that the following team will make a real impact in this year's championship.
            O Lynch
D Baker M Bradley C McCluskey is he anywhere near back to full fitness?
C Doherty E McEvoy P McGrogan
      C Glass  B Rogers
P Cassidy  C McFaul  E Doherty
N Loughlin S McGuigan  L Murray

Substitutes- A Scullion not part of panel, Mark Doherty, D Gilmore long term injury?, A Tohill, R Forbes, N Toner, C Murphy, Declan Cassidy, R McCarron,C McMonagle, N O'Donnell long term injury?

SeanyB is right - Scullion is gone, Gilmore & ODonnell wont be playing in the next few months.

McCluskey is said to be about 4/5 weeks away, he's missed almost a year's football, lets hope he can find form straight away, but a tough ask considering he will be fired straight in vs oppositions top forward.
McGrogan, don't be surprised if he doesn't hit top form this season, tough to come back from a cruciate and hit top for straight away.
Baker, I think he's been found out slightly with new rules, he is a decent ball carrying defender, but not the best man marker despite being one of the '3' that stays back.
Bradley, has played very little, could have what it takes...but also may not.

Bench still seriously light, Is there much more coming through in the immediate future? Have all the Downey's dropped off/never come through? Vs Dublin, Kerry, Donegal, Galway etc in an AI Quarter/Semi in Croke Park, who is coming off the bench to make a big difference or win a game?

Murray played in the 2022 Ulster Final and we said hopefully he's the man to step up and help Shane, it's 2025 and were still saying the same. Still can be called young, but he's not that young.

In 2020 Vs Armagh the team was below
Derry - O Lynch, P McNeill, B Rogers, C McWilliams, E Doherty, C McKaigue, P McGrogan, C McFaul, C Glass, D Tallon, E Lynn, P Cassidy, E Bradley, S McGuigan, N Loughlin. Subs: P Kearney for D Tallon (46), O McWilliams for P McNeill (60), P Cassidy for E Lynn (64), A Doherty for P Cassidy (69) .

We were relaying on Rogers, Doherty, McGrogan, McFaul, Glass, Shane McGuigan then, who else has broke into that leadership/main player bracket since? McCluskey/CD? whilst losing Chrissy, Herron & Bradley. Loughlin/Paul Cassidy still knocking around also.

When can we expect the next Chrissy/Rodgers/Shane/Glass/Doherty/McCluskey to come through? Young from Newbridge perhaps? Any more enroute?

Slightly negative I know, but while we have 5 or 6 players capable of winning all stars, I also feel we have 5/6 players getting game time that wouldn't be guaranteed a place on the Glen team at the moment.

To be fair to Murray Derry don't get a point against Galway without him, strange he isn't starting as seems a quality player who is best placed take the scoring burden off McGuigan.  What Happened the lad Murphy from Magherafelt he looked a decent prospect in last years league?

Oisin McWilliams? I know he had an injury, but he looked like a real option couple of years ago. Did he score the winner against dublin in celtic park one night?

[Mario]

No Rogers scored the winner. He did get a point but that's all I ever remember him doing for the senior team for someone that gets mentioned a lot on here.

[tbrick18]

No Rogers scored the winner. He did get a point but that's all I ever remember him doing for the senior team for someone that gets mentioned a lot on here.

Ah you might be right on Rogers.
He wasn't really about long enough to say he didn't do anything for the senior team, but I thought he was big and mobile and could take a long range score so showed potential.
Then as far as I know it was an injury that ruled him out. Maybe he's still injured?

[jb77]

Think people were asking the same questions about McWilliams and the downeys last year, I think we can all but forget about them gracing the doors for a while.

CD has a younger brother who racked up a lot of scores in the SFC, he might be worth a look in a couple of years

[Derry Optimist]

Many counties would be jealous of all the great minors Derry have produced since Matthew Downey led them to success in the 2020 All Ireland final which was played in 2021.However out of that magnificent side so far only five   have made it through to the Senior squad with Eoin McEvoy and Lachlan Murray consistently playing prominent roles and Mark Doherty,Dan Higgins and Patrick McGurk getting limited game time.
 
One would expect that when  Niall O'Donnell and Matthew Downey are fully match fit that they too would be in  line  for Senior a call up.So that is a total of six possible County Seniors from that successful minor side.

From the last three County minor  sides ie 2022-2024 - two of which also won the All-Ireland with the remaining one reaching the All Ireland semi final - one would expect that a total of at least nine other stars from those sides should make the break through to Senior ranks. I refer  to Danny McDermott,Fionn McEldowney,Johnny McGuckian, Conal Higgins, James Sargent, Eamon Young,Tommy Rogers and

[Derry Optimist]

Apologies for the gremlins in last post!! Now to complete it properly!
" Oisin Doherty and Ruairi Forbes all of whom have the potential to play Senior inter county football if they remain committed and develop physically to withstand the rigors of Senior football.
Unfortunately there may be too much of an age gap between some of our older and current best Senior players and many of the talented youngsters. I hope that I am wrong and all of our best Senior players will still be playing when these talented minors finally make the breakthrough. If they are then the prospects of a Senior All = Ireland title increase a hundred fold.
P.S. Of course I should have included Charlie Diamond and Jody McDermott amongst the 2020 Minor graduates!"

[marty34]

Finn Mc Eldowney should be on the senior team. Pace, energy and makes great decisions on the ball.