NFL Division 1 2024

[smort]

First half was positive enough for Tyrone. Very young team away against a settled outfit and with the wind against them, missed a couple of easy chances and all of a sudden 5 down and could easily have collapsed. Instead they worked their way back into it and the 3 point half time lead flattered Derry. Second half however was grim, totally lost their heads when the scores didn't come with the wind. You can put that down to lack of experience for sure, but it did happen a couple of times last season too which raises questions.

Overall though there are a number of very good young players who are looking like they can step up and a number of established players to come back in. Get the mix right and there's a right good team in there. Big question for me is do we have the management to pull that off.

Generally agree with that except for what you said about half time score.
I feel Derry could have easily been 8 or 9 ahead at half time. Took points when goals were begging.
Personally couldn't believe we were only 3 in front at half time.
Tyrone should have had a goal, good save from a shot that was saveable but a better forward would have nailed it.

Just watched the highlights and the glass goal did look deliberate. However, in real time it was a shot for a point I think and the wind caught it.

Conor said in post game interview on tg4 that it was a fluke

[greatpoint]

On a completely different note, has Sean Cavanagh had a bit of botox?

Thought he looked a bit waxy myself alright

[Rossfan]

If ye don't mind the rest of us trying to get a look in...
A low quality game in the Hyde not helped by a strong wind which made point scoring very hard - not helped by some lads propensity to drive the ball up as high as possible in scoring attempts.

A red card for Donie and an Oscar for Conroy!

The draw probably a major assist towards both being relegated.

[tbrick18]

If ye don't mind the rest of us trying to get a look in...
A low quality game in the Hyde not helped by a strong wind which made point scoring very hard - not helped by some lads propensity to drive the ball up as high as possible in scoring attempts.

A red card for Donie and an Oscar for Conroy!

The draw probably a major assist towards both being relegated.

I only saw the highlights, but looked a straight red to me.
Both teams will improve imo, when Brigids men have had some time to re-integrate and galway get their key players back.
I'd imagine they'll both be much stronger in the last 3 rounds of the league.

[yellowcard]

Mayo and Derry both like greyhounds out of the traps in this years League campaign. However it's a long season and Mayo ultimately flattered to deceive during last years League.

I'm not entirely convinced the Mickey Harte appointment will work out for Derry either, if he doesn't win an AI title it will not be considered a success. That's a very high barometer for success and I'm not yet convinced Derry will have what it takes in the patter stages but the performance of Murphy yesterday is definitely a step in the right direction for them.

Monaghan flopped again when it comes to facing Kerry after a great performance the previous week against the AI champions. They are the great survivors but you never know what you'll get from them either. Jack O'Connor introduced the 2 Clifford's back yesterday and Kerry are a different team with them in it. I think they'll be the team to beat this year in summer time providing they stay fit.

Galway are probably the side who are under achieving the most. They probably have the best set of forwards in Ireland yet managed a paltry 9 points against Roscommon. They are epitomised by Shane Walsh who always looks like a great player but yet far too seldom delivers what his ability suggests that he is capable of.

[Estimator]

Decent, if not overly impressive from Derry.  Butchered numerous scoring opportunities, by adding an extra hand pass instead of fisting/tapping it over the bar from 21yrds out.  But its league football and getting the wins are what really matters.

Tyrone were well in it at half time, silly frees give them the opportunity to stay in touch.  Morgan's free off the ground in the first half was superbly judged.  Not sure why they didn't kick on in the second half.  They didn't go after Scullions kicks outs as much as I would've expected as well.

Ref wasn't fantastic, looked up once and spotted a bit of shirt pulling, give the free and then it never happened again for the duration of the game.  And the curse that is two or three players surrounding the player in possession. Sometimes its over carrying and sometimes is it a free for the player in possession. No consistency in that at all.

For Derry, Baker and Murphy getting more experience at this level is a good thing.  I'd go so far as to say Murphy's performances had an influence on Toner when he came on.  When Toner got the ball, he turned and headed for goal instead of maintaining possession with an easy backward handpass. Loughlin had a better outing as well.  Cassidy wasn't at his best.

Maybe some Screen bias, but I think that Scullion is the best option to have outside of Lynch.  He hasn't had the opportunity to play much football in the last couple of years due to county commitments.  I think the relegation playoff against Lavey and the final league game against Cork, were the only two games he played between January and July last year.  He played one McKenna group game so far this year, and 15mins yesterday. Aside from one kick out over the sideline (Morgan did that too) and one kick pass that went astray (Lynch did that too) he seemed comfortable in that role.  Don't forget there are some on here who would've liked to see Lynch replaced over that last couple of year.

If Lynch and McKinless are out for a run of games, I'd say McFaul would move to CHB and then a fight for place in the forwards between Emmett Bradley, Declan Cassidy, Niall Toner and Cormac Murphy.  Which is a much better place than we were last year.

[blasmere]

Decent, if not overly impressive from Derry.  Butchered numerous scoring opportunities, by adding an extra hand pass instead of fisting/tapping it over the bar from 21yrds out.  But its league football and getting the wins are what really matters.

Tyrone were well in it at half time, silly frees give them the opportunity to stay in touch.  Morgan's free off the ground in the first half was superbly judged.  Not sure why they didn't kick on in the second half.  They didn't go after Scullions kicks outs as much as I would've expected as well.

Ref wasn't fantastic, looked up once and spotted a bit of shirt pulling, give the free and then it never happened again for the duration of the game.  And the curse that is two or three players surrounding the player in possession. Sometimes its over carrying and sometimes is it a free for the player in possession. No consistency in that at all.

For Derry, Baker and Murphy getting more experience at this level is a good thing.  I'd go so far as to say Murphy's performances had an influence on Toner when he came on.  When Toner got the ball, he turned and headed for goal instead of maintaining possession with an easy backward handpass. Loughlin had a better outing as well.  Cassidy wasn't at his best.

Maybe some Screen bias, but I think that Scullion is the best option to have outside of Lynch.  He hasn't had the opportunity to play much football in the last couple of years due to county commitments.  I think the relegation playoff against Lavey and the final league game against Cork, were the only two games he played between January and July last year.  He played one McKenna group game so far this year, and 15mins yesterday. Aside from one kick out over the sideline (Morgan did that too) and one kick pass that went astray (Lynch did that too) he seemed comfortable in that role.  Don't forget there are some on here who would've liked to see Lynch replaced over that last couple of year.

If Lynch and McKinless are out for a run of games, I'd say McFaul would move to CHB and then a fight for place in the forwards between Emmett Bradley, Declan Cassidy, Niall Toner and Cormac Murphy.  Which is a much better place than we were last year.

Any relation to Tony?

[Mario]

Mayo and Derry both like greyhounds out of the traps in this years League campaign. However it's a long season and Mayo ultimately flattered to deceive during last years League.

Derry have approached every league campaign like this for the past 3 years and have managed to keep it going deep into the championship. The GAA media seem obsessed about timing your run, usually as an excuse for the big counties losing.  This team has been unbelievably consistent for 3 years now, so the only criticism left is to say we are trying to hard to win every game.

McFaul's best position is definitely at 6, it's a pity for him that McKinless is also so good at it and probably more dangerous as an attacking threat. McFaul very good at linking the play though.

I agree with you Estimator, some pressure on Scullion coming in to that game against a gale force wind with a packed Celtic park and very little experience in county football. He did very well in the circumstances and got most of his kick-outs off.

[Estimator]

Any relation to Tony?

Nephew

[yellowcard]

Mayo and Derry both like greyhounds out of the traps in this years League campaign. However it's a long season and Mayo ultimately flattered to deceive during last years League.

Derry have approached every league campaign like this for the past 3 years and have managed to keep it going deep into the championship. The GAA media seem obsessed about timing your run, usually as an excuse for the big counties losing.  This team has been unbelievably consistent for 3 years now, so the only criticism left is to say we are trying to hard to win every game.

McFaul's best position is definitely at 6, it's a pity for him that McKinless is also so good at it and probably more dangerous as an attacking threat. McFaul very good at linking the play though.

I agree with you Estimator, some pressure on Scullion coming in to that game against a gale force wind with a packed Celtic park and very little experience in county football. He did very well in the circumstances and got most of his kick-outs off.

The big difference being that Derry needed to keep winning Leagu games to get promotion. I'm not saying it's a bad thing at all to be winning League matches but it doesn't guarantee success later in the summer either. In fact I'd probably put a division one League title above a provincial title now that they have become diluted. It depends where a team is at in its development and a League title for Derry would be another staging post marked off enroute to trying to win Sam Maguire.

[Mario]

Mayo and Derry both like greyhounds out of the traps in this years League campaign. However it's a long season and Mayo ultimately flattered to deceive during last years League.

Derry have approached every league campaign like this for the past 3 years and have managed to keep it going deep into the championship. The GAA media seem obsessed about timing your run, usually as an excuse for the big counties losing.  This team has been unbelievably consistent for 3 years now, so the only criticism left is to say we are trying to hard to win every game.

McFaul's best position is definitely at 6, it's a pity for him that McKinless is also so good at it and probably more dangerous as an attacking threat. McFaul very good at linking the play though.

I agree with you Estimator, some pressure on Scullion coming in to that game against a gale force wind with a packed Celtic park and very little experience in county football. He did very well in the circumstances and got most of his kick-outs off.

The big difference being that Derry needed to keep winning Leagu games to get promotion. I'm not saying it's a bad thing at all to be winning League matches but it doesn't guarantee success later in the summer either. In fact I'd probably put a division one League title above a provincial title now that they have become diluted. It depends where a team is at in its development and a League title for Derry would be another staging post marked off enroute to trying to win Sam Maguire.

There is no way a Div 1 league title is above an Ulster championship. It's not even near it in terms of fan interest, media interest and what it means to the players. Look at Clones last year for Armagh Derry vs the Mayo Galway league final.

[imtommygunn]

Division 1 is about staying up. Derry near enough safe and can probably back off. Good breeding ground now for new players. Also you'd expect teams to take it more serious in first year back into it after a while.

[Manning18]

Galway are probably the side who are under achieving the most. They probably have the best set of forwards in Ireland yet managed a paltry 9 points against Roscommon. They are epitomised by Shane Walsh who always looks like a great player but yet far too seldom delivers what his ability suggests that he is capable of.

The same Walsh that wasn't playing yesterday?

It's getting a bit ridiculous the slack he takes. He's had one bad season since 2017. There were multiple times over covid he was sensational but Galway were disjointed and got knocked out. Narrative then follows that they can't get the best out of this 'maverick', one that has still somehow has man of the match awards coming out of his ears over the years

Yesterday was a poor game in terrible conditions. Galway will be disappointed they didn't win given the flow of the game but on paper Roscommon were decent favourites going in. Galway are without their 4 most important players by any objective standard and 3 other starters, a situation that won't improve short term. Survival will be a serious achievement at this point

[seafoid]

Galway are probably the side who are under achieving the most. They probably have the best set of forwards in Ireland yet managed a paltry 9 points against Roscommon. They are epitomised by Shane Walsh who always looks like a great player but yet far too seldom delivers what his ability suggests that he is capable of.

 

The same Walsh that wasn't playing yesterday?

It's getting a bit ridiculous the slack he takes. He's had one bad season since 2017. There were multiple times over covid he was sensational but Galway were disjointed and got knocked out. Narrative then follows that they can't get the best out of this 'maverick', one that has still somehow has man of the match awards coming out of his ears over the years

Yesterday was a poor game in terrible conditions. Galway will be disappointed they didn't win given the flow of the game but on paper Roscommon were decent favourites going in. Galway are without their 4 most important players by any objective standard and 3 other starters, a situation that won't improve short term. Survival will be a serious achievement at this point

Galway will be happy under the radar. They were where Derry are now mediawise  for most of last season, in all of the conversations,  and what good did it do them? They can probably grind out 2 or 3 wins to retain their status. No team in its right mind will want to be prominent now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBwU4aZEsJw

[seafoid]

Conor Glass was interviewed by Marty Morrissey on Radio 1 this morning. He's a great interview as well as everything else.