Messages

[depending on whether it was a foreigner or a native that committed heinous crimes]

Jesus, you northerners are obsessed with loyalists. You know, I used to want a united Ireland, but now I'm not so sure. Too many Palestinians. People IN THE SOUTH should be angry about the rape of a 10 year girl by someone who HAS NO RIGHT TO BE HERE. And what are these "sinister objectives" you're on about? Wanting people who have no right to be here, to not be here? Oooh. How dreadful.

The last time they rioted was when it was an immigrant who committed a heinous crime on a child when he had citizenship here.

Why don't these same thugs who use crimes against children by immigrants as an excuse for violence against immigrant communities do the same Irish men do similar.

The loyalists are your boodies are they not. Seems to be close links between Coolock says No and the UVF, no?
You seem to be advocating for an exceptionalism here.

No, that Algerian shouldn't have been here. He was turned down for asylum, and was given stay to remain as part of some amnesty. In other words, they just couldn't be bothered deporting him. If I remember right, he also had a conviction. This Somalian child rapist will now be kept here in jail at our taxpayers' expense, and could easily end up staying here under some similar amnesty, also. Which you, no doubt, would welcome.

Irish people that do similar are our problem to deal with. And they are dealt with. Sometimes not harshly enough, I admit. What do you advocate - that we deport them? Send them over to England? Isn't that what your 'boodies' in the 'RA used to do? Let our scumbags infest someone else?

I have nothing to do with Coolock Says No, and no - the loyalists and UVF are not my 'boodies'. Boodie. How are your 'boodies' in Hamas this weather, by the way?

You've created exceptionalism for rape victims. They are tiered in your eyes depending on whether it was a foreigner or a native that committed heinous crimes.

That is a logic of a deeply troubled person.

Can we agree that all rape is wrong and all criminals should be treated better.

Do you not think you'd be better served protesting for harsher sentencing for sex offenders, for more Gardai on your streets, for a more functional and resourced justice system and prison service than whipping up racial tensions?

Are you really that much of a bigot?

Ive never cared for this kind of attack on these rightwingers (in this case). Dont get me wrong, I take your point. But of course we can all agree all rape is wrong and we want to see all offenders locked up. I think this is a specific issue and the issue is that some of these attacks would be preventable if the government took a stronger stance on immigrants.

Think about the BLM protests. Were you saying "Black people are killing black people in america every day. Why do you only focus on when the white people / police officers commit the murders?" My guess is no you didnt say that (but if im wrong i apologise).

The point of that particular movement was: Yes, black on black crime is a massive issue. However we are focusing on this specific issue (police officers) because it is one we feel we can enact change. ... Or maybe all those protesters/rioters were just racists too.

Well done Newbridge. Silenced all the doubters (myself included) that the reigning champions were not the best side in Derry. Back to back is a serious achievement. Hopefully they can give Ulster a better crack this year.

On Magherafelt, they definitely didnt give their best performance today. They looked much better against Glen and Lavey. But maybe thats testament to the work rate of Newbridge that they can do that to teams. And neither side is going anywhere any time soon.

Regarding the last kick out were the free was brought forward, he's got a massive amount of praise on here and rightly so but what the hell was Fionn Mc Eldownney thinking, jumping along with Rogers and dispossessed his own man.
And also the fact that CD opted to go for 2 points rather than taking ball in as close as possible to level up the match shows a serious belief in himself. Is he one of the top 3 or 4 players in Derry? Personally I think so.
 Glass, Rogers,CD, Mc Closkey in that order.

Interesting. Id probably put Shane at 3rd though. Then Clucky and honestly Id just about give Padraig McGroggan the nod over Doherty. But hes certainly in that top 5 ballpark at the moment

[McGuigan was inside the arc as far as I can see]

McGuigan was inside the arc as far as I can see, so one pointer. It's the referees call anyway. Are we now going to appeal referee decisions?
Should Newbridge appeal the touch on the ground by Paudi which led to a 2 pointer for Slaughtneil?

The 2 point arc is always going to cause controversy but it has to be the refs call. We can't have these decisions being decided in a board room.

No he wasn't. His planted foot was just before the arc line or on it but it definately wasn't inside it.

The rule is one foot can be on the line.

Clearly a 2 pointer.

From the footage provided, your cannot definitely say that.

One thing you can tell from the footage is that he overcarried the ball. So go ahead and appeal it. He was lucky to get one point out of it never mind two.

Its one thing if the officials keep and submit an incorrect scoreline but this nonsense of appealing in-game referee decisions/mistakes has to stop. Refs will make mistakes. Theyre human. We just ask that they try to be consistent and unbias.

Slaughtneil are perfectly aware of the questionable calls that went their way in the lavey game (mainly the black card against lavey when they were through on goal and the overcarrying for Cassidys goal). Why didnt they appeal these or ask for a review? Were they not in favour of justice back then but they are now?

I count 9 steps for that slaughtneil goal.

Barry was very poor. Black card decision was awful but at least had the decency to even the score by giving a soft black to slaughtneil too.

Rory McGill and Ruairi O Mianian were exceptional

Is anyone giving Steelstown much of a chance? Theyve gotten plenty of rest and good scoring options. Newbridge could come in with their tails up (like against Dungiven) and be caught out?

Other games I see going Glen, Magherafelt and probably Slaughtneil. Ive no idea what to expect from Lavey.

This has been reversed for 2025, league status and championship status are not linked, so without quoting league position what are you talking about?

I'm talking about Glenullin who have won two of the last four Derry IFC titles and currently play in the top division of Derry club football still playing intermediate.

So youre worried Glenullin are too good to be playing in Ulster Intermediate despite failing to even reach the final in their two recent campaigns? (never mind the fact they havent even won Derry intermediate yet this year).

Id also note that Derry accepted Drumsurns request for automatic relegation to intermediate championship next year. They were clearly the worst of the four teams in the relegation playoffs. If Derry were "cooking the books" surely they would prefer to roll the dice and hope one of the three superior teams end up getting relegated to Intermediate (while also pocketing a few £ by actually playing out the 3 relegation games).

[eg Glenullin]

Newbridge were playing Division 2 and Intermediate football throughout the 00s and 10s. Won the Intermediate in 2017 and less than a decade later they were senior champions. Thats almost unprecedented in Derry (save for Coleraine in 2010).

Playing at the top tier against the best is the only way to improve and get the best out of your group. Look at Steelstown. They were clearly a step behind the other teams when they moved up to senior a few years back and now they are holding their own and sitting in a quarter final (with a good chance of making a semi if they can avoid Newbridge).

Its disappointing to see a team actually wanting to play at a lower level. Especially when there are teams (eg Glenullin) who have been crying for a chance to play against the best. What happens if Drumsurn win Intermediate next year? Do they ask to remain Intermediate again and forever more?

I dont think Drumsurn fielded a reserve team at all this year and I understand how that is difficult for a small club, but thats a different issue and this defeatist attitude will do nothing to fix that problem. Back yourself and if you have to go down, go down fighting.

Small point of clarification.

If memory serves, Glenullin played a weakened team last year in the final game of the IFC Group vs. Desertmartin so that they would actually play Ballinderry in the Qtr Final, precisely to *avoid* the IFC Semi Final (and promotion to the SFC)..

I wasnt aware of this. All the noise I was hearing out of Glenullin was that they wanted to be playing SFC? Is that not correct?

[If you believe in women's rights/ gay rights but not trans rights you are a confused person]

If you believe in women's rights/ gay rights but not trans rights you are a confused person.

Graham wants to go back to the old days, before London flew the flags of progress on Regent Street.

Its all social engineering and has made society more healthy and strong than ever before.

You clearly have no idea what Graham Linehan stands for.

Newbridge were playing Division 2 and Intermediate football throughout the 00s and 10s. Won the Intermediate in 2017 and less than a decade later they were senior champions. Thats almost unprecedented in Derry (save for Coleraine in 2010).

Playing at the top tier against the best is the only way to improve and get the best out of your group. Look at Steelstown. They were clearly a step behind the other teams when they moved up to senior a few years back and now they are holding their own and sitting in a quarter final (with a good chance of making a semi if they can avoid Newbridge).

Its disappointing to see a team actually wanting to play at a lower level. Especially when there are teams (eg Glenullin) who have been crying for a chance to play against the best. What happens if Drumsurn win Intermediate next year? Do they ask to remain Intermediate again and forever more?

I dont think Drumsurn fielded a reserve team at all this year and I understand how that is difficult for a small club, but thats a different issue and this defeatist attitude will do nothing to fix that problem. Back yourself and if you have to go down, go down fighting.

Can't buy the Swatragh newbridge game. Forcing me to buy a day pass.

Anyone else getting this?

Youd have been as well saving your money. Couldnt believe how poorly Swatragh played with the wind. It was a miracle they were leading at half time. And then Lavey went and out-did them and played even worse

He'd get a lot more votes than people think I reckon.

Would he feck. He'd be a bigger laughing stock than he is now (if that's possible). Who, unless you've lost all grasp on reality, would vote for him?

I think (sadly) plenty of people would. A lot of people thought the same about Trump in the early stages of the 2016 election and when there was a possibility he'd run again in 2024.

Naw I don't see it. IMO he would get negligible votes if he was ever able to stand. A few years ago he may have had a bit of a following. But the majority of that has dropped of. He's a sc**bag. A very unlikeable one at that.

I'd hope that anyone with a vote sees him for the sc**bag he is. But I reckon there seems to be a decent chunk of them who support his outspoken anti-immigration stance regardless. Ironically they might think voting for conor f**king mcgregor will sort out their perceived problems.

He'd get a lot more votes than people think I reckon.

Would he feck. He'd be a bigger laughing stock than he is now (if that's possible). Who, unless you've lost all grasp on reality, would vote for him?

I think (sadly) plenty of people would. A lot of people thought the same about Trump in the early stages of the 2016 election and when there was a possibility he'd run again in 2024.

[Is it worth persevering with Tally for another year?]

It is very difficult to really judge Tally on the season. On paper, ok no victories but there were some signs that the team can still be dangerous. I dont see him being the man to win an Ulster or reach an All Ireland final. Tactically he is a level or two below the real elite managers.

In saying all that any team with McCluskey, McEvoy, McKinless, Glass, Rogers, McFaul, E.Doherty and McGuigan can be a threat to anyone on their day.

Is it worth persevering with Tally for another year? Well the real question should be- after the disastrous managerial hunt last year can we really do any better??

In short, yes.
Lets just hope he can reflect on the mistakes we all know he made and that the players can keep their hopes up knowing we had some real strong performances this year

[doesn't support this point]

Armagh have to be above Donegal right now! Donegal only beat them by a point after extra time and we seen them bounce back superbly with two strong performances (better than Donegal showed) and added an allstar back into their line up. (Armagh win that Ulster Final if Rian is fit to play)

For me, the debate is between Armagh and Kerry at 1 and then Donegal at 3.

For me 4.Tyrone, 5.Dublin, 6.Galway can be in whichever order in the next branch. We should know after next weekend.

Then Id have 7.Mayo and 8.Monaghan 9.Down

Putting Derry generously at 10. Power rankings should be based on form and although they had a good game on Saturday its difficult to make a case for a team that havent won a competitive game in a year.

"Power rankings should be based on form" arguing Armagh should be above Donegal as they would have won if Rian had been playing and that they will get better in the future because he is playing, doesn't support this point. Additionally, Derry's form is that they are as good as (having drawn with) a team you rank 6th and lost by 4 to your number 1 or 2 ranked team Armagh but you will only generously give them 10th. Especially since the Armagh game is one they would have won with just 1  more goal and a two pointer. As far as I recall the last team ranked below Derry to beat them was Roscommon which was back when RG managed them. Could be completely wrong on that but it would indicate they are still just about clinging to their theoretical top 10 status.
I would presume that whoever puts these things together does give more weight to recent games therefore taking form into account. Derry will fall if they do not win their next game as the past success will count for less and less as time goes on.
Anyway, not something to take too seriously since it doesn't help anyone out on the pitch. I'd have Armagh at 1 as they have played and beat good teams more consistently than the chasing pack. And they are actual All Ireland winners.

Im saying form needs to be considered, hence why Derry are down at 10th (not winning any games) and Armagh are above Donegal (having won both of their group games). I dont believe that Donegal should be above Armagh just because they beat them AET - we learned this last year. After that final it would be totally fair to put Donegal above them but now with Rian back we can see the difference. Both teams are Top 3 and theres not a lot in it.

I dont see the contradiction. To me power rankings means something like "The best teams in the country right now, adjusted for form". We know how could this Derry team CAN be, but theyre clearly going through a poor spell. Some good performances but the results arent backing it up