Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[Brendan]

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

I think I'll still moan, how's it going work? Haven't seen this update anywhere except your post

I'm told they are a common thing in Dublin, Kerry, Mayo, Galway. New batch of development squad players along with existing players who don't normally make the match day squad train, play in house games against senior team and getting same treatment as our senior team. Idea being that puts additional push on squad players that their place isn't guaranteed. Essentially its a County Reserve team.

Good news then, exactly what we've needed to bolster the panel

[Wildweasel74]

Whos left from last year Derry minor panel. Didn't see a line out anywhere of the days team.

[Wildweasel74]

Is that not the way the County Junior championship worked. Thats were Paudie Clifford  came from.

[Newbridge Exile]

Whos left from last year Derry minor panel. Didn't see a line out anywhere of the days team.

Cody Rocks is the only starter from
last year back I believe

[harryR]

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

Who all is on this development squad?

[oakleaflad]

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

Who all is on this development squad?

I'm not sure it's a full on development squad? Open to correction.

Heard there are 3 lads from Faughanvale down training with the county anyway. Don't think they're the required standard but good luck to them and I'd happily be proven wrong.

[Wildweasel74]

Done right to start it, Tyrone didn't send out a development squad in their game though, defeating the purpose of what it's brought in for.

[Ryan O]

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

Who all is on this development squad?

I'm not sure it's a full on development squad? Open to correction.

Heard there are 3 lads from Faughanvale down training with the county anyway. Don't think they're the required standard but good luck to them and I'd happily be proven wrong.

There's about 14 on it, clubs were asked to send who they believed was capable I've no doubt there would be slightly clouded judgement on that but if they were there at least they know.

[Cluborcountywhynotboth]

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

Who all is on this development squad?

I'm not sure it's a full on development squad? Open to correction.

Heard there are 3 lads from Faughanvale down training with the county anyway. Don't think they're the required standard but good luck to them and I'd happily be proven wrong.

I'd generally agree with you on that, but from what I heard one of them played in a challenge game against Tyrone at the weekend and was one of the best players on the pitch, has now been called up to full county training.

[Cluborcountywhynotboth]

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

Who all is on this development squad?

I'm not sure it's a full on development squad? Open to correction.

Heard there are 3 lads from Faughanvale down training with the county anyway. Don't think they're the required standard but good luck to them and I'd happily be proven wrong.

There's about 14 on it, clubs were asked to send who they believed was capable I've no doubt there would be slightly clouded judgement on that but if they were there at least they know.

I don't think clubs were asked to send anyone, players were contacted directly by members of the management/CB as far as I heard. 

[JE23]

Good to hear there has been a Senior development squad set up, there can be no more moaning from clubs (geographical areas) about players not getting opportunities. All getting good exposure around Owenbeg and insight to what it takes to be Inter County player.

I think it's a good idea and probably something we should have been doing years ago. Good to see the senior management doing something to try to address our lack of squad depth - hopefully we can get some players out of it. The only issue with it I can see is that these players have been told not to play club football, which will put a lot of lads off I'm sure.

Who all is on this development squad?

I'm not sure it's a full on development squad? Open to correction.

Heard there are 3 lads from Faughanvale down training with the county anyway. Don't think they're the required standard but good luck to them and I'd happily be proven wrong.

There's about 14 on it, clubs were asked to send who they believed was capable I've no doubt there would be slightly clouded judgement on that but if they were there at least they know.

I don't think clubs were asked to send anyone, players were contacted directly by members of the management/CB as far as I heard. 

[honthecounty]

Any further club manager updates ?

[Wildweasel74]

That lad Sweeney from Faughanvale was a good player. Whatever happened the GK Harkin? From Limavady.

[Brendan]

That lad Sweeney from Faughanvale was a good player. Whatever happened the GK Harkin? From Limavady.

Sweeney had a solid season last year especially, haven't seen him about during the ulster league campaign so maybe carrying an injury. The keeper Oran Hartin always fancied himself out the field so maybe could suit the new rules but doubt he'd be any better than what is already there

[Derry Optimist]

Derry County Board and Derry Senior management team are to be commended  in selecting a Senior Development squad. As many posters have said, when you add the Senior development squad to the already Senior panellists who get little or no meaningful game time with the Senior team in competitive matches, in essence you have now a full Senior reserve county team.

 They can train,play challenge games with other County reserve sides and generally learn what it takes to be proper Senior players who can properly develop their full potential.

At present Senior county players, who do not get game time, soon become frustrated as there are no meaningful outlets  for playing the game that they love so well, either at County level or at club level. So, as has happened in Derry and indeed other counties this year, Senior panellists have already left before the half way point in this year's league. It takes great man management skills to prevent this occurring with an ever increasing regularity.

Another increasing problem that managers have to face is the reluctance of some top class club players refusing to join Senior County  panels. For example there are at least three or four excellent club players in Derry who fall into this category. In fact most connoisseurs of Derry football rate them so highly that they should certainly not only  be on the match day 26 but would be serious challengers for starting positions. Perhaps management could encourage them to join this year's Senior Development panel instead.

All in all a very good development for the successful future of Derry football. Now, if we can get Padraic McGrogan, Conor McCluskey, Donncha Gilmore, Ciaran McFaul, Niall Loughlin, Brendan Rogers, Eoin McEvoy, Niall Toner, Cormac Murphy and Niall O'Donnell fully fit and no new injuries Derry could ruffle a few feathers in this year's championship!!