Derry Club Football & Hurling original

Wildweasel74 · June 18, 2025, 03:48:12 PM

Called no variation in kicks, easy to read. Dublins were not.

Derry Optimist · June 18, 2025, 04:24:40 PM

Hopefully, after Derry's very encouraging Championship displays, against Galway and Dublin in particular, the team can move on and achieve a higher level of performance and consistency in 2026. This is, of course, very dependent on the fact that all of the current players commit fully to the new season,remain uninjured, and that all the present injured players are fully fit and available as well. I am thinking especially of Donncha Gilmore,Martin Bradley, Gareth McKinless, Oisin McWilliams (whom I believe is back training), Niall O'Donnell and Cormac Murphy.When you add their names to Odhran Lynch, Conor McCluskey, Lachlan Murray, Ruairi Forbes, Anton Tohill, Ryan Mulholland, Tommy Rogers,Ben McCarron, Cahir McMonagle and Danny McDermott who were all substitutes last weekend,there is a very impressive all-round talented squad that possesses great strength in depth. Presumably the forthcoming club championships in Derry will show that there are more budding stars who will be able to make the step up from being talented underage players to worthy Senior county panellists.

To ensure success management and players will have to devise a proper kick out strategy. I know that this is easier said than done but all games are won or lost on dealing properly with kick outs. The Derry panel will have to include an extra tall ball-winning midfielder to cope with the Peadar O'Cofaigh Byrnes,Joe O'Connor,Jason McGee,Ben Crealeys, Paul Conroys of this world!!

Stickittotheman · June 19, 2025, 08:05:19 AM

Quote from: Derry Optimist on June 18, 2025, 04:24:40 PMHopefully, after Derry's very encouraging Championship displays, against Galway and Dublin in particular, the team can move on and achieve a higher level of performance and consistency in 2026. This is, of course, very dependent on the fact that all of the current players commit fully to the new season,remain uninjured, and that all the present injured players are fully fit and available as well. I am thinking especially of Donncha Gilmore,Martin Bradley, Gareth McKinless, Oisin McWilliams (whom I believe is back training), Niall O'Donnell and Cormac Murphy.When you add their names to Odhran Lynch, Conor McCluskey, Lachlan Murray, Ruairi Forbes, Anton Tohill, Ryan Mulholland, Tommy Rogers,Ben McCarron, Cahir McMonagle and Danny McDermott who were all substitutes last weekend,there is a very impressive all-round talented squad that possesses great strength in depth. Presumably the forthcoming club championships in Derry will show that there are more budding stars who will be able to make the step up from being talented underage players to worthy Senior county panellists.

To ensure success management and players will have to devise a proper kick out strategy. I know that this is easier said than done but all games are won or lost on dealing properly with kick outs. The Derry panel will have to include an extra tall ball-winning midfielder to cope with the Peadar O'Cofaigh Byrnes,Joe O'Connor,Jason McGee,Ben Crealeys, Paul Conroys of this world!!

One thing that has constantly hampered us is the lack of options from the bench. Hopefully with Division 2 next year, albeit still a tough league, we can begin to build guys experience. People like Gilmore, McGurk, Bradley, Higgins plus both Cormac Murphy and Oisin McWilliams if they get fit. Tohill needs more game time to keep improving. Maybe even try a younger keeper for a few games.

With a bit of luck with injuries, a decent Ulster draw(we can't be in the preliminary next year) and some luck in the Sam Maguire draw wise, we could be looking to make an impact.

Newbridge Exile · June 21, 2025, 03:19:58 PM

Just home from a very enjoyable game of football in Slaughtneil Finished a draw Bridge 0-26 Slaughtneil 2-20, Brendan and Shane played ,Paudie and CD weren't togged out,

jb77 · June 21, 2025, 03:27:37 PM

Newbridge are rightly motoring for a team of youngsters, maybe their golden generation. Its a pity alot of teams are conceding to the reserve team though, seems a wider problem tbf

Newbridge Exile · June 21, 2025, 03:37:33 PM

Quote from: jb77 on June 21, 2025, 03:27:37 PMNewbridge are rightly motoring for a team of youngsters, maybe their golden generation. Its a pity alot of teams are conceding to the reserve team though, seems a wider problem tbf

It's definitely the worst that I can remember for the amount of division 1 reserve games being cancelled ,

Brendan · June 21, 2025, 07:58:22 PM

Ben McCarron caused Vale some trouble today in another great game, had every one of their backs man marking him at some stage or another.

Castledawson look as good as gone, Ballinderry to possibly join them in Intermediate via a play off?

NotedObserver · June 21, 2025, 08:25:58 PM

Quote from: Brendan on June 21, 2025, 07:58:22 PMBen McCarron caused Vale some trouble today in another great game, had every one of their backs man marking him at some stage or another.

Castledawson look as good as gone, Ballinderry to possibly join them in Intermediate via a play off?

Mccarron was good for the university. Looked a slightly different type of player for them but never got a good run afterwards with Derry. Maybe didn't deserve one?

Cluborcountywhynotboth · June 22, 2025, 11:51:20 AM

Quote from: Brendan on June 21, 2025, 07:58:22 PMBen McCarron caused Vale some trouble today in another great game, had every one of their backs man marking him at some stage or another.

Castledawson look as good as gone, Ballinderry to possibly join them in Intermediate via a play off?

Took that game in myself as I was up in the town. Thought he was very dangerous but his play acting and diving would annoy you. Actually thought the longer haired fella (Sweeney is it) handled him ok in the second half. Vale leave a lot of space for the opposition, seems to be the way they like to play it, get a lot of reward from an attacking point of view but leaves defense exposed, don't think McCarron will get that space against many teams, but he def looks like he has improved. Very enjoyable game and both teams would be thinking they should have won.

I'd say Dawson are gone. Wouldn't be shocked if Ballinderry pull a few results from somewhere tho.

Wildweasel74 · June 22, 2025, 01:50:08 PM

McCarron biggest problem is lack of confidence. He got on plenty of ball for Derry , but it was always a short passing off in possession. He had good feet but plenty of times in a scoring position for Derry he wouldn't pull the trigger!

Stickittotheman · June 22, 2025, 06:00:27 PM

Quote from: Wildweasel74 on June 22, 2025, 01:50:08 PMMcCarron biggest problem is lack of confidence. He got on plenty of ball for Derry , but ut was always a short passing off in possession. He had good feet but plenty of times in a scoring position fir Derry he wouldn't pull the trigger!

I know a few people who have coached and played with Ben and they speak very highly of him. They all rate him and are bewildered at his lack of confidence at senior county level. He doesn't seem to really believe in himself but the talent is there. Gallagher, Meenagh and Tally have all used him for a reason.

LoughNeagh · June 23, 2025, 09:41:21 AM

Quote from: Cluborcountywhynotboth on June 22, 2025, 11:51:20 AM
Quote from: Brendan on June 21, 2025, 07:58:22 PMBen McCarron caused Vale some trouble today in another great game, had every one of their backs man marking him at some stage or another.

Castledawson look as good as gone, Ballinderry to possibly join them in Intermediate via a play off?

Took that game in myself as I was up in the town. Thought he was very dangerous but his play acting and diving would annoy you. Actually thought the longer haired fella (Sweeney is it) handled him ok in the second half. Vale leave a lot of space for the opposition, seems to be the way they like to play it, get a lot of reward from an attacking point of view but leaves defense exposed, don't think McCarron will get that space against many teams, but he def looks like he has improved. Very enjoyable game and both teams would be thinking they should have won.

I'd say Dawson are gone. Wouldn't be shocked if Ballinderry pull a few results from somewhere tho.

Castledawson def in trouble alright.

Went to the Loup/Ballinderry game, could have gone either way so a draw probably fair. Ballinderry appeared to have half their AI-Final team on the side lines so I'd say Loup would be more disappointed in not getting a win there.

Newbridge flying, must be favs again this year for John along with Glen and then Magherafelt.

Mario · June 23, 2025, 09:59:41 AM

Looking at the AI QF draw we were a jammy Galway goal away from a Down and Meath route to an AI semi final. Could have been a very different end to the season. Obviously we could lose to either of those teams but you would expect games v D2 teams to be easier than our championship games the past 2 seasons.

tbrick18 · June 23, 2025, 01:48:11 PM

Having watched how Down played yesterday, particularly that 2nd half, there are strong similarities with Derry 2/3 years ago. Defend like demons and attacking in waves.
I think the Derry County Board should be breaking the bank to coax Meenagh back into our management team.

Derry Optimist · June 23, 2025, 06:49:08 PM

Sorry for the gremlins!!I agree with tbrick 18's sentiments re how unfortunate Derry were to let an 8 point lead slip in the last quarter against Galway. I also agree that Ciaran Meenagh would be a huge addition to the backroom team but for obvious reasons outside his control I can not see him take up such an offer. On the other hand I would be trying to lure Callum Brown back from Australia along with Jude McAtamney from the U.S. That would be a real game changer along with the injured players who were not available to Paddy Tally this year.