Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[honthecounty]

Last year 2 teams that beat us played in the All-Ireland final, the other 2 made the semis, Derry goalkeeper going on tour of the pitch last year was killing us, this year playing a outfield player is killing is. I think we got 5/6 very good players [2 of which are injured) but they expected to pick up the slack for 5/6 others who are underperformed. If we had a strong sub bench, 5/6 men wouldn't started yesterday, based on their league form. Ask yourself this, if Derry never got rid of Gallagher, would they be where they at now. Derry had 2 teams made the U20 final past 3yrs. Am sure Gallagher would picked up 4/5 from each team for the long haul. County Board management process would be my biggest query. Derry gone this year, and we looking at a rebuild nxt year.

You seem to have made your way here from the Facebook comments.

He's not the manager & he left 2 years ago. We've had 3 managers since. Ciaran Meenagh guided us to an all Ireland semi and Micky Harte won our first national title since 2008. Isn't it time we moved on?

Unfortunately, as much as it is easy to say that it appears that RG still lingers about the camp. Listened to Gavin Devlin this morning on Woolys popdcast and he was quite blunt about it. Regardless whos in the job some are still pawning for RG and its either you bow down and bring him back and all that comes with it or a new teams developed. So many moving parts and everyone has blame attached to what is going on players, county board and management (regardless of mitigating cicumstances). Choosing McNicholl for nets yesterday is criminal and negligence in my eyes hung him out to dry and then theres small issues such as taking toner off mid free kick, taking higgins off when already struggling around the high ball when doherty was clearly devoid of confidence. I do think this break will do Derry the world of good and hopefully  injuries clear up and can give the groups a serious rattle because players haven't got bad over night and as much as momentum can slide it can pick back up.

[tbrick18]

I know that when u look at it like that JOG2 but u could see Donegal defensive set up, defend the D, rush players when inside, and they were happy that the free man Derry kept getting was Doherty as he not a good shooter, then if they get a turn over break hard. They got a kickout strategy, long, short, free up a man, the set plays to open up men for scores in attack and getting their long rage shooters on the ball. Derry tactics I cant see, where's as u could see their tactics 2/3yrs ago.

All that said, we conceded 1-10 from our own kickout. If we'd an actual keeper, who could vary his kicks accurately, we don't concede 1-10 in that way. Given we were beaten by 10, the game is a lot closer than the score suggests.
That has been the issue almost the entire year when Lynch has been out of the team.
PT at fault for it early on, did try to revert to Lynch who then got injured.
PT certainly has to take a huge chunk of the blame for yesterday by not having a proper keeper selected.

However, too many of the Derry players just haven't shown up this season. Ethan has been a shadow of himself, Paul C has been hot and cold, Shane works hard but just isn't hitting the same scores. Murray in and out with injury, we really need a consistent period in the team to get the best from him I feel. He looks our most dangerous inside forward and can win his own ball.
McGrogan did some really good stuff yesterday, but then also made a mess of a few things and visibly ran out of steam - not surprising given the length of time he was out.
McFaul played well, but don't think he took a single shot on.
Rogers our best player by a mile.
Glass was obviously playing injured for most of the game and he's been having a great year. Loughlin looked like he needs a bit more fitness work too, but got hit a heavy dirty dig by Murphy early on and that might have effected him.

We are missing that attacking flair we had a couple of year ago from McKinless and Mcloskey. Our attack has gone toothless, whereas 2 years ago we got scores from all over the field.

RG had our game strategy right for the players we had and the system we played.
I've no doubt, he'd have adjusted the strategy for this group of players to suit the new rules - I dont think that has happened yet.
There are so many thing to try to fix at the minute - injuries, form, confidence, strategy, goalie....possible in 6 weeks? Doubtful but I hope so.

[NotedObserver]

We're in a sorry state. As fans, we expect the team to fight right to the end. But the players should expect the same from us. Most of us have given up. The Derry attendance all season, and especially yesterday was a disgrace - we really don't deserve any success.

I get it that the team aren't giving us much to shout about but being a 'supporter' is exact that - supporting in good times and bad.

The reality is the panel that got to an All Ireland semi final in 22 & 23 is gone. The rules of that game are also gone. The management team is gone. RG had a team of average players playing above themselves.

I get the romanticism, but let's look at how his team performed -
2020: Beaten by Armagh in a fairly comprehensive fashion
2021: Beaten by Donegal in Ballybofey after refusing to hit a shot for the last 5/6 mins of the game.
2022: Beat a terrible Tyrone team, good win vs. Monaghan but needed extra time to beat a Donegal management that the players ended up roading soon after. Then beating Clare (probably the easiest route to an AI SF in years?) and we were shockingly short in vs. Galway. Add in the fact we failed to get promoted from Division 2.
2023: Fermanagh (a massive achievement) and beat a poor Monaghan side. He wasn't there for the Ulster final, but needing SMcG to hit a 50yrd free to bring the game to penalties is hardly winning convincingly. Promotion from Division 2, but shockingly short in the final.

I get that some people will look back longingly at those great days, but when you see it written down - it's kinda unimpressive. To achieve what we did needed uber commitment and shunning of anybody who didn't want to be a disciple (based on recent podcasts). We had a panel of 17 players, we didn't bring anybody through from U20 sides. We flogged the same group of players again and again until their bodies couldn't take it any longer. The players who were shunned & walked away missed 2/3 yrs of conditioning at the level required. We didn't bring through any U20's. We're still dealing with the legacy of that.

There are many many issues you can lay blame at PT for, but the reality is lots of these players are average. The new rules are about individual battles 1vs.1. Whilst we could mask that under RG with a structured & methodical approach with 15 in defence and attack, that is no longer possible. The goal posts have moved.

The best summary on here

[THEALBION1878]

did anyone listen to Gavin Devlin on smaller fish this morning? interesting take.

[Mario]

We're in a sorry state. As fans, we expect the team to fight right to the end. But the players should expect the same from us. Most of us have given up. The Derry attendance all season, and especially yesterday was a disgrace - we really don't deserve any success.

I get it that the team aren't giving us much to shout about but being a 'supporter' is exact that - supporting in good times and bad.

The reality is the panel that got to an All Ireland semi final in 22 & 23 is gone. The rules of that game are also gone. The management team is gone. RG had a team of average players playing above themselves.

I get the romanticism, but let's look at how his team performed -
2020: Beaten by Armagh in a fairly comprehensive fashion
2021: Beaten by Donegal in Ballybofey after refusing to hit a shot for the last 5/6 mins of the game.
2022: Beat a terrible Tyrone team, good win vs. Monaghan but needed extra time to beat a Donegal management that the players ended up roading soon after. Then beating Clare (probably the easiest route to an AI SF in years?) and we were shockingly short in vs. Galway. Add in the fact we failed to get promoted from Division 2.
2023: Fermanagh (a massive achievement) and beat a poor Monaghan side. He wasn't there for the Ulster final, but needing SMcG to hit a 50yrd free to bring the game to penalties is hardly winning convincingly. Promotion from Division 2, but shockingly short in the final.

I get that some people will look back longingly at those great days, but when you see it written down - it's kinda unimpressive. To achieve what we did needed uber commitment and shunning of anybody who didn't want to be a disciple (based on recent podcasts). We had a panel of 17 players, we didn't bring anybody through from U20 sides. We flogged the same group of players again and again until their bodies couldn't take it any longer. The players who were shunned & walked away missed 2/3 yrs of conditioning at the level required. We didn't bring through any U20's. We're still dealing with the legacy of that.

There are many many issues you can lay blame at PT for, but the reality is lots of these players are average. The new rules are about individual battles 1vs.1. Whilst we could mask that under RG with a structured & methodical approach with 15 in defence and attack, that is no longer possible. The goal posts have moved.

The best summary on here

Terrible summary, prefer my version:

2020: Beat by Armagh by 2 points. During peak covid when he was putting a team together. I think Glass played in this game just off the plane and it looked like he hadn't kicked a round ball for 4 years.

2021: Div 3 team take a Div 1 team widely tipped as an AI contender at the time to pin of their collar in a ground they never lose and are very unlucky not to beat them. A clear improvement on the previous year but no back door and no room for further development

2022: Beat the all ireland champions by around 8 points in a game not many thought we had a chance. Destroyed Monaghan in one of the best performances of the RG era. Beat Donegal in a slugfest AET, but who cares how it's a final. Got a good draw v Clare as we were ulster champs. Destroyed them. Game over in 15min. Played Galway and were right in it at ht before Comers goal and our mistakes meant no way back. Extremely unlucky not to get promoted due to dodgy decision from ref in Roscommon game. Definite improvement again.

2023: Relatively smooth journey to an Ulster final where we met an Armagh side who with hindsight are one of best in country but just couldn't win pen shoot outs. Shane McGuigan put in a performance for the ages. Promotion from Division 2, with a brillant win v Dublin in Celtic park. Didn't go for us in the final but Dublin got very lucky with a penalty and two point efforts that went in for a goal. Didn't matter anyway. The defining performance of that year was v Kerry. The best performance i have seen from a Derry side for 60 min before our lack of depth was expose. Clear improvement again.

[JoG2]

We're in a sorry state. As fans, we expect the team to fight right to the end. But the players should expect the same from us. Most of us have given up. The Derry attendance all season, and especially yesterday was a disgrace - we really don't deserve any success.

I get it that the team aren't giving us much to shout about but being a 'supporter' is exact that - supporting in good times and bad.

The reality is the panel that got to an All Ireland semi final in 22 & 23 is gone. The rules of that game are also gone. The management team is gone. RG had a team of average players playing above themselves.

I get the romanticism, but let's look at how his team performed -
2020: Beaten by Armagh in a fairly comprehensive fashion
2021: Beaten by Donegal in Ballybofey after refusing to hit a shot for the last 5/6 mins of the game.
2022: Beat a terrible Tyrone team, good win vs. Monaghan but needed extra time to beat a Donegal management that the players ended up roading soon after. Then beating Clare (probably the easiest route to an AI SF in years?) and we were shockingly short in vs. Galway. Add in the fact we failed to get promoted from Division 2.
2023: Fermanagh (a massive achievement) and beat a poor Monaghan side. He wasn't there for the Ulster final, but needing SMcG to hit a 50yrd free to bring the game to penalties is hardly winning convincingly. Promotion from Division 2, but shockingly short in the final.

I get that some people will look back longingly at those great days, but when you see it written down - it's kinda unimpressive. To achieve what we did needed uber commitment and shunning of anybody who didn't want to be a disciple (based on recent podcasts). We had a panel of 17 players, we didn't bring anybody through from U20 sides. We flogged the same group of players again and again until their bodies couldn't take it any longer. The players who were shunned & walked away missed 2/3 yrs of conditioning at the level required. We didn't bring through any U20's. We're still dealing with the legacy of that.

There are many many issues you can lay blame at PT for, but the reality is lots of these players are average. The new rules are about individual battles 1vs.1. Whilst we could mask that under RG with a structured & methodical approach with 15 in defence and attack, that is no longer possible. The goal posts have moved.

The best summary on here

You'd maybe want to a: check our footballing history for the 5 years that predated our back to back Ulsters and Croke Pk appearances and b: have a good hard look at your username

[Estimator]

We're in a sorry state. As fans, we expect the team to fight right to the end. But the players should expect the same from us. Most of us have given up. The Derry attendance all season, and especially yesterday was a disgrace - we really don't deserve any success.

I get it that the team aren't giving us much to shout about but being a 'supporter' is exact that - supporting in good times and bad.

The reality is the panel that got to an All Ireland semi final in 22 & 23 is gone. The rules of that game are also gone. The management team is gone. RG had a team of average players playing above themselves.

I get the romanticism, but let's look at how his team performed -
2020: Beaten by Armagh in a fairly comprehensive fashion
2021: Beaten by Donegal in Ballybofey after refusing to hit a shot for the last 5/6 mins of the game.
2022: Beat a terrible Tyrone team, good win vs. Monaghan but needed extra time to beat a Donegal management that the players ended up roading soon after. Then beating Clare (probably the easiest route to an AI SF in years?) and we were shockingly short in vs. Galway. Add in the fact we failed to get promoted from Division 2.
2023: Fermanagh (a massive achievement) and beat a poor Monaghan side. He wasn't there for the Ulster final, but needing SMcG to hit a 50yrd free to bring the game to penalties is hardly winning convincingly. Promotion from Division 2, but shockingly short in the final.

I get that some people will look back longingly at those great days, but when you see it written down - it's kinda unimpressive. To achieve what we did needed uber commitment and shunning of anybody who didn't want to be a disciple (based on recent podcasts). We had a panel of 17 players, we didn't bring anybody through from U20 sides. We flogged the same group of players again and again until their bodies couldn't take it any longer. The players who were shunned & walked away missed 2/3 yrs of conditioning at the level required. We didn't bring through any U20's. We're still dealing with the legacy of that.

There are many many issues you can lay blame at PT for, but the reality is lots of these players are average. The new rules are about individual battles 1vs.1. Whilst we could mask that under RG with a structured & methodical approach with 15 in defence and attack, that is no longer possible. The goal posts have moved.

Another way to look at it
2020: A 2pt defeat by an Armagh team that was promoted to Div1 against a side still in Div3
2021: Leading most of the way through until McBrearty kicks the injury time winner. Spent less than two minutes working the ball for the score. Granted it was too long - but not close to 5/6mins.
2022: AI Champions Tyrone were favourites v Derry. Monaghan were favourites v Derry. Donegal were favourites v Derry.
Very poor in the semi v Galway
2023: Better than Fermanagh and Monaghan  (who contested an AI semi that year)
v Armagh - Derry were in control throughout normal time and had Rogers fisted effort gone over instead of hitting the post, we would have won in normal time. But McGuigans 50m wasnt the last score of the game. Murray put us up by a point, before the equaliser and penalties. Promotion was important, Div2 final wasn't - 2/3 of FB line was rested, Glass taken off as precaution.

[jb77]

did anyone listen to Gavin Devlin on smaller fish this morning? interesting take.

Whose to say he's wrong he was in the locker room, RG had these boys playing at the height of their powers and overnight he's gone. As much as I'd like them to get over it some probably won't

[Stickittotheman]

Last year 2 teams that beat us played in the All-Ireland final, the other 2 made the semis, Derry goalkeeper going on tour of the pitch last year was killing us, this year playing a outfield player is killing is. I think we got 5/6 very good players [2 of which are injured) but they expected to pick up the slack for 5/6 others who are underperformed. If we had a strong sub bench, 5/6 men wouldn't started yesterday, based on their league form. Ask yourself this, if Derry never got rid of Gallagher, would they be where they at now. Derry had 2 teams made the U20 final past 3yrs. Am sure Gallagher would picked up 4/5 from each team for the long haul. County Board management process would be my biggest query. Derry gone this year, and we looking at a rebuild nxt year.

You seem to have made your way here from the Facebook comments.

He's not the manager & he left 2 years ago. We've had 3 managers since. Ciaran Meenagh guided us to an all Ireland semi and Micky Harte won our first national title since 2008. Isn't it time we moved on?

Unfortunately, as much as it is easy to say that it appears that RG still lingers about the camp. Listened to Gavin Devlin this morning on Woolys popdcast and he was quite blunt about it. Regardless whos in the job some are still pawning for RG and its either you bow down and bring him back and all that comes with it or a new teams developed. So many moving parts and everyone has blame attached to what is going on players, county board and management (regardless of mitigating cicumstances). Choosing McNicholl for nets yesterday is criminal and negligence in my eyes hung him out to dry and then theres small issues such as taking toner off mid free kick, taking higgins off when already struggling around the high ball when doherty was clearly devoid of confidence. I do think this break will do Derry the world of good and hopefully  injuries clear up and can give the groups a serious rattle because players haven't got bad over night and as much as momentum can slide it can pick back up.

The continuing on with McNicholl is not just bonkers, it is incompetent. Tally can use all the excuses he wants, his stubbornness is costing us games. Donegal may well have found a way to win yesterday anyways but an actual goalie doesn't lose 1-10 from their own kick out. That's appallingly bad. Other decisions like taking Toner off were a bit weird but Murray still converted it. I don't think we lose by 10 points yesterday had Lynch or Ben McKinless played.

In regards Gallagher he has been gone now for two years. It will be 3 years by the time we go into next season. But Tally isn't going anywhere. I think the loss of Meenagh might have been just as big as Gallagher to be honest. He was tactically superb and it was a real pity he was overlooked and maybe wasn't all that keen anyways.

 Gallagher can stay where he is as far as I am concerned. I don't want him back. His time has been and gone.

[tbrick18]

Said it at the time that Meenagh was a huge loss. He was the one to introduce a defensive strategy to Derry when in Div4 and that groundwork was there before RG ever came on the scene.
He didn't want to be the main coach, then I guess he got the offer of another role.
If we could coax him back into the management team it would be a coup.

[Uncle Phil]

Share the sentiment regarding Meenagh. He was a major part of Derry's success in recent years. A huge loss to the setup. Tactically brilliant, an organiser, a motivator, a man manager, and full of integrity. Would be a very important addition again if he was interested and available. Who knows, with Meenagh alongside him and blooding a few U20s, Tally may well bring success.

[Wildweasel74]

You say Tally isn't going anyway. If we go through a min 11/12 programme season and he wins say just 2 games, how in the name of God can you keep somebody on with that record. My main problem with Tally is what everybody sees, top county managers go man to man marking on kickouts ,we don't, He has no defensive strategy. Kickouts - not even going there, and no attacking set plays. McGuiness even last year had a no.of plays set in place by the time they played Derry in Celtic park. And Donegal were in a worse position than us when he took over.

[Stickittotheman]

You say Tally isn't going anyway. If we go through a min 11/12 programme season and he wins say just 2 games, how in the name of God can you keep somebody on with that record. My main problem with Tally is what everybody sees, top county managers go man to man marking on kickouts ,we don't, He has no defensive strategy. Kickouts - not even going there, and no attacking set plays. McGuiness even last year had a no.of plays set in place by the time they played Derry in Celtic park. And Donegal were in a worse position than us when he took over.

You say Tally isn't going anyway. If we go through a min 11/12 programme season and he wins say just 2 games, how in the name of God can you keep somebody on with that record. My main problem with Tally is what everybody sees, top county managers go man to man marking on kickouts ,we don't, He has no defensive strategy. Kickouts - not even going there, and no attacking set plays. McGuiness even last year had a no.of plays set in place by th
e time they played Derry in Celtic
park. And Donegal were in a worse
position than us when he took over.


Barring a complete catastrophe in the AI series Tally won't be going anywhere. You can't continue the cycle of appointing late and then sacking someone just for the cycle to start again. As someone mentioned above- if Tally had Meenagh beside him then that might be something to think about come end of Championship.

By all accounts the players loved him as much as Gallagher. Surely the offer of a return to Derry would be something he would strongly consider. Down will be Division 3 next year.

[Stickittotheman]

Don't know what I did with the reply there messed it up a bit 

[STREET FIGHTER]

Don't think Ciaran Meenagh wanted the gig full time...

If so, it would have been his...

A loyal and honourable man...probably out of respect to RG...

Would he be thinking about the 'what if's' now??

Hopefully!!

If there was any chance he'd come back in beside PT then the County Board should move heaven and earth to get him..

SF