Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[ShoresOfTyrone]

Sad news about Paul Conway aka wee bambo, ex Ballinderry corner forward from the 80s and 90s, only a few of yous will probably remember him.

Sad news indeed, he was held in high regard by many in Tyrone who knew him and by the teams and players he managed over the years. May he rest in peace.

[93-DY-SAM]

With all the chat of lads out and lads back at training does anyone have an idea of the team we will be putting out on Saturday?

Not a clue, and the way we have been naming teams, we'll find out about half an hr before the game on Sat.

[Maghera was Black]

Cahair O'Kane was on Off The Ball this morning. He said we played 3 challenge matches, Monaghan, Cork and Sligo and all went well which is a turn up for the books from the usual doom and gloom that has been following us around from April 2024. Monaghan played a decent nearly full strength team apparently and he said we played a 'B' team against Sligo. Rogers back at Midfield and going well, but he noted that Lynch and Clucky still way off playing. The Goalkeeping issue is still my main concern and is what played a major part in our relegation, so its disappointing to hear we wont have Lynch in the cauldron that will be the Athletic Grounds, with the big orchard fan base in one of the tightest pitches in the country gaining possession from our own kickouts is going to be a big big challenge. We will certainty find out if Tally and the backroom team have done their kickout homework as Donegal showed how to go after the very left sided Ethan Rafferty. Ben Crealey and Niall Grimley cleaned us out last year and then rolled over us again in March so time for Glass and Rogers to stand up and deliver. Paul Cassidy and Ethan Doc have had a poor 2025 so far with confidence looking low so wouldn't be surprised to see some u20s get the nod in the starting XV. Paudie and Niall Loughlin have had another 7 good weeks work done and we need Shane to step up as a leader like he done in the 2023 Ulster final. I personally feel we need a fast start and come out of the blocks early put them on the backfoot to see if they have any mental hangover from the Ulster final. Any way Doire Abu lets go rattle the All Ireland champs

[GTP]

We would need to improve on winning break ball and allowing teams to charge into empty space if we do not win kickouts, both our own and the oppositions. Not to mention somehow stopping the long kickout over the top taking out the entire team and leading to a goal.
The draw hasn't been kind so if we get out of this group with one win like last year, I'll be happy. But hopefully the players will remember they are good enough to beat anyone out there when they play to their potential and can get themselves back on track with a big performance.

[Ryan O]

Cahair O'Kane was on Off The Ball this morning. He said we played 3 challenge matches, Monaghan, Cork and Sligo and all went well which is a turn up for the books from the usual doom and gloom that has been following us around from April 2024. Monaghan played a decent nearly full strength team apparently and he said we played a 'B' team against Sligo. Rogers back at Midfield and going well, but he noted that Lynch and Clucky still way off playing. The Goalkeeping issue is still my main concern and is what played a major part in our relegation, so its disappointing to hear we wont have Lynch in the cauldron that will be the Athletic Grounds, with the big orchard fan base in one of the tightest pitches in the country gaining possession from our own kickouts is going to be a big big challenge. We will certainty find out if Tally and the backroom team have done their kickout homework as Donegal showed how to go after the very left sided Ethan Rafferty. Ben Crealey and Niall Grimley cleaned us out last year and then rolled over us again in March so time for Glass and Rogers to stand up and deliver. Paul Cassidy and Ethan Doc have had a poor 2025 so far with confidence looking low so wouldn't be surprised to see some u20s get the nod in the starting XV. Paudie and Niall Loughlin have had another 7 good weeks work done and we need Shane to step up as a leader like he done in the 2023 Ulster final. I personally feel we need a fast start and come out of the blocks early put them on the backfoot to see if they have any mental hangover from the Ulster final. Any way Doire Abu lets go rattle the All Ireland champs

Funny I don't anticipate any of the u20s to get the nod and definitely not for Ethan Doherty. He hasn't had a great year so far but forward line have been poor and he's not just on their wavelength. If Derry are going to do anything this year Ethan will be absolutely crucial to it. He's a player you build around not drop.

I would be very surprised if Rogers is playing midfield I would expect him to be at 6 but more than likely picking up Rian O Neill if he is on the pitch. Who will mark Conaty and Grugan is the big one for me, guessing maybe Doherty on Conaty and Mc Grogan on Grugan. Them two are the keys to everything Armagh do.
Hoping Mc Cambridge gets the job of marking Lachlan Murray as hes very average man marker.
I've created a dangerous mindset for myself in that I am confident of a Derry win more than hopeful of one. I may well die on this sword.

[GraceO’Malley]

Excellent episode of Scéalta na gCorn from Derry tonight. Available at the link below for anyone who missed it.
https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/play/?pid=6373052879112&title=Doire&series=Sc%C3%A9alta%2520na%2520gCorn&genre=Sport&pcode=718210

[oakleaflad]

No Marty Bradley or Lachlann Murray named in squad to face Armagh. Bench looks very light.

[Topmarks]

We have really limited forward options based on that squad named.

[Brendan]

There's quality throughout that starting 15 if key players played to their full ability but half the backs must be playing their first championship game for Derry? And Lynch has proved to be irreplaceable in nets. The bench also doesn't give much confidence

[Wildweasel74]

Panel very young on it.

[Mario]

Can you be in the match day squad and not be in the named squad?

[NotedObserver]

Was Murray playing friendlys?

[toby47]

Panel very young on it.

1 Championship start between everyone on the bench, and it was Dan Higgins the last day out.

We've known the panel was thing the last few years, this is a new low.

[93-DY-SAM]

Panel very young on it.

1 Championship start between everyone on the bench, and it was Dan Higgins the last day out.

We've known the panel was thing the last few years, this is a new low.

That's where we are, and that's what these next three games need to be about. Giving these younger lads a chance and hopefully trying to build on that going into next year. I'll be happy if we can be anywhere near competitive while trying to build a decent panel of players.

[Topmarks]

Panel very young on it.

1 Championship start between everyone on the bench, and it was Dan Higgins the last day out.

We've known the panel was thing the last few years, this is a new low.

That's crazy when you think about it. Outside our core 12 or so starters its pretty much rookies. We have good talent coming through but need a proper setup in place to get them game time over the next couple of years otherwise it's rince and repeat of boys leaving the panel.