Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[OakLeaf]

Finally got a bit of luck this year with that draw.

Definitely a good draw. We should have a decent shot of getting to the final. Avoiding Armagh, Tyrone and Donegal is most welcome.

[marty34]

Yeah, avoiding Donegal, Tyrone and Armagh is a good news story. Plus no prelim.

Derry should be confident now.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

First time since the Tohill catch above the crossbar?
Went to replay, Joey dunlop died same day
Or is my memory away to shit

[Wildweasel74]

Antrim were very good the first day, replay Derry more focused.

[OakleafCounty]

First time since the Tohill catch above the crossbar?
Went to replay, Joey dunlop died same day
Or is my memory away to shit

I'm 41 and that's the only time I remember Antrim being a competitive force in Ulster.

[general_lee]

First time since the Tohill catch above the crossbar?
Went to replay, Joey dunlop died same day
Or is my memory away to shit

I'm 41 and that's the only time I remember Antrim being a competitive force in Ulster.

They were decent under Baker

[tbrick18]

On the one hand it's a good draw for us and if everything goes to plan we should get past Antrim. Given where we were this year, I'm wary of any game, but I do expect us to be a lot stronger in 2026 with returning players and revamped management team.
However, if we were to get to an Ulster Final we'd be up against a team who have had at least 2 really tough championship games. Those tough games certainly helped us in our recent Ulster wins.

It's probably the best draw for us, gives us a chance to rebuild confidence and momentum so long as we don't go in with complacency. I don't think Meenagh would allow that though.

[JB3456]

Brilliant draw about time we got a bit of luck with the draw having played donegal or tyrone 10 times in the last 14 years

Now that the season of hell is over us and we are getting injuries back and the right man and the helm its time we started looking at ourselves like contenders for big honours

Ulster final and promotion should be non negotiable targets this year

[GraceO’Malley]

First time since the Tohill catch above the crossbar?
Went to replay, Joey dunlop died same day
Or is my memory away to shit

Will never forget the gasp of the crowd when Joey Dunlop's death was announced in the ground that day. You could've have heard a pin drop after.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

First time since the Tohill catch above the crossbar?
Went to replay, Joey dunlop died same day
Or is my memory away to shit

Will never forget the gasp of the crowd when Joey Dunlop's death was announced in the ground that day. You could've have heard a pin drop after.

Agreed. Early days of tinternet so I'd say   few knew about it beforehand.

I'm maybe Mr pessimistic and I know we should beat them but same time they'll be well up for it so deffo not to be taken lightly. If we return to form we should be ok

[GraceO’Malley]

First time since the Tohill catch above the crossbar?
Went to replay, Joey dunlop died same day
Or is my memory away to shit

Will never forget the gasp of the crowd when Joey Dunlop's death was announced in the ground that day. You could've have heard a pin drop after.

Agreed. Early days of tinternet so I'd say   few knew about it beforehand.

I'm maybe Mr pessimistic and I know we should beat them but same time they'll be well up for it so deffo not to be taken lightly. If we return to form we should be ok

There's a danger in everyone saying we got an easy draw. The last thing we want is complacency but I doubt Meenagh  will allow that. The last time we won a game outright was June 24, that feels like a long time ago and we're better than that.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Agreed. And Derry don't do favourites well

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

Monaghan are licking their lips at that draw.

[lenny]

Monaghan are licking their lips at that draw.

Exactly. Even Antrim will be looking at this game as one to target. They were certainly fired up last year for the game v Armagh when they had been pressured into moving to a new venue. they stuck to their guns and it galvanised them as they sailed into Armagh and were right in the game until near the end. Even with that they scored 1.23 which would win a lot of games. They'll see a Derry team who have lost confidence after the gallagher era and they'll feel they can create an upset. On top of that Monaghan continue to be consistent and they'll be delighted to be on this side of the draw avoiding the big guns from the last 2 years.

[GTP]

In March 2018 Derry were consigned to relegation to Division 4. It came just four years after they contested the Division 1 final against Dublin, and 25 years after their last All-Ireland victory back in 1993. Given the form of the last two seasons, since the NFL win, initially I will be content they get back on track and don't get relegated from Division 2.
As for Ulster Derry, Antrim, Monaghan and Cavan will all be looking at the draw and thinking it has opened up a path to the final. Hopefully Derry will take that path.