Derry Club Football & Hurling original

Ryan O · October 10, 2026, 09:19:41 PM

Quote from: jb77 on October 10, 2026, 07:36:03 PMDerry have a fairly good production now, I didn't get up to any of the games today. I think Glen have undoubtedly the best attack of the last 3, they dismantled teams that other contenders struggled to put away. Think they could lift another JML

Glen absolutely do not have the best attack. Bar Alex Doherty/ Jack Doherty I actually think they are a nice distance behind the other 2 that remain.
Johnny Mc Guckian is busy and sometimes direct, Ethan refuses to take people on. Tallon is a shadow of former self. Dara mc Gill look nice player but still young.

Magherafelt half forward link is the best in the county, Conall Higgins looks like he has everything but still young too. Cormac Murphy a real handful and the smaller Higgins lad is tricky probably the weakest of the 6 but that a high level to reach.

Newbridge - Conor Mc Ateer, Eamonn Young, Sean Young and Oisin Doherty!!! I'd have them all around a Derry set up if they would all go.

HonDerry · October 11, 2026, 08:44:21 AM

Magherafelt put Slaughtneil to the sword last night in what might be the last dance for several older players.

Brendan Rogers was immense, but there just wasn't enough contribution from those around him. I've said before that Slaughtneil's younger players haven't stepped up in the same way as Magherafelt's younger players, although, in fairness, they were missing Finn, Ruairí and Cathal.

Magherafelt's defence was excellent throughout. Take away Shane being allowed his 10-plus steps for the goal and the winning margin would have been even more.

In fairness to Brendan Quinn, he didn't make the game about himself this time, though I thought some marginal calls tended to go Slaughtneil's way.

The first half was too one-sided, but the game came to life for about 15 minutes when Slaughtneil enjoyed their purple patch. Outside of that, Magherafelt were comfortably the better side.

I think the chasing pack will now see Slaughtneil as the team to target if they want to break into the top four next year. Having made the semi-finals nine times in the past decade, they have some record but the age profile of them and Glen is working against them.

Another interesting one will be whether O'Malley stays. It's a long way to travel if the team is heading into a period of transition.

Topmarks · October 11, 2026, 08:58:46 AM

Magherafelt much the better side and will be hard to beat in the final. They are very strong defensively, power around the middle and full of running. The only thing that might trip them up is their shooting, they do make a lot of chances but they miss a good bit which keeps teams in it. I think Eoin McAvoy has been playing some stuff this championship, serious battle between him and Rogers yesterday.

On another note, I caught a bit of the junior final and I thought the lad Oran Donnelly stood out. Don't know much about him, but maybe a worth a look at u20 county level and see if he can operate at that level.

GTP · October 11, 2026, 01:12:59 PM

Neither the intermediate or senior game yesterday were particularly good. Slaughtneil managing only 5 scores in 60 minutes left them with no hope I'd say it was as disappointing a performance that they could have put in.
Magherafelt look good but don't score enough to put teams away, will catch them out at some stage.

Derry Man · October 11, 2026, 04:16:30 PM

Could Paul McFlynn be any more bias on commentary

Ryan O · October 11, 2026, 04:58:59 PM

On championship displays this year so far, does Conor Glass start Derry? And if so in what position.

Wildweasel74 · October 11, 2026, 05:57:36 PM

Derry need be putting in 7/8 new players in the league, that be more important than Promotion, where u go up, then straight bck down again the following yr. As u probably be losing Rodgers/McKinless after next yr.

jb77 · October 11, 2026, 06:16:45 PM

Not sure what i was on about last night, reading too many stats. McEvoy and CD best midfielders in the county. Barry Cassidy tried his best to inject life into Glen

Norm-Peterson · October 11, 2026, 06:29:43 PM

God help us having to listen to Paul McFlynn at the final calling it "Macrafelt".

theticklemister · October 11, 2026, 06:46:40 PM

All about pace lads

Champion The Wonder Horse · October 11, 2026, 06:52:15 PM

Quote from: Wildweasel74 on October 11, 2026, 05:57:36 PMDerry need be putting in 7/8 new players in the league, that be more important than Promotion, where u go up, then straight bck down again the following yr. As u probably be losing Rodgers/McKinless after next yr.

But we don't have the luxury to bed in that number of newbies. Start 7/8 new players and we'll be playing in the tailteann cup.

Ryan O · October 11, 2026, 07:36:33 PM

We have to bed new players in but we don't have a division 1 safety net which is the dangerous thing. If we get up you're buying 2 years of league football to settle lads in.
Not end of the world to go up and back down again, not ideal but still gives people a chance.
Lose our first two league games and the pressure is on.

Tickle mister hit nail on the head, its absolutely all about speed, pace, power and directness.
CD and Eoin MC Evoy and eventually when the game needed it Rogers put on midfield exhibition over the weekend, just driving forward at every chance, round and back football is thankfully totally dead in the water.
Two best teams in the final, Newbridge have went up a gear, Magherafelt I think still slight favourites. Cracking final ahead.

John100 · October 12, 2026, 12:45:15 PM

Glen put back in their place, BOOM

GTP · October 12, 2026, 01:09:43 PM

Glen's place was top 4 in Derry, which is still the case, although the manner of the defeat does leave them with plenty of questions.
The split season and the danger of slipping into Division 3 and or the Tailteann Cup make rebuilding a team very difficult for county managers. We have some continuity this year with management staying in place, giving them a chance to pick their own squad rather than the last man's but there is no guarantee new faces will get the jo done in the league.
Glass and McGuigan didn't look like starting county players over the weekend hopefully form is temporary and class permanent and they get back to the top level performances they can produce.

John100 · October 12, 2026, 02:13:14 PM

Quote from: GTP on October 12, 2026, 01:09:43 PMGlen's place was top 4 in Derry, which is still the case, although the manner of the defeat does leave them with plenty of questions.
The split season and the danger of slipping into Division 3 and or the Tailteann Cup make rebuilding a team very difficult for county managers. We have some continuity this year with management staying in place, giving them a chance to pick their own squad rather than the last man's but there is no guarantee new faces will get the jo done in the league.
Glass and McGuigan didn't look like starting county players over the weekend hopefully form is temporary and class permanent and they get back to the top level performances they can produce.

Key word WAS, Glen seem to think they deserve to be in the all ireland club final every year, they are not at this level no longer, although they have a few young players they are begining to look like a top 8-4 team , not top 4. Next year is a long way away but I can already see them being knocked out before the semi final.