Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[OakleafCounty]

Agreed that the best players are in South Derry. That has always been the case and probably always will be but since RG came in it has become even more pronounced. In the past Dungiven would always have had 2 or 3 important players in the panel along with 1 or 2 from Glenullin or Banagher respectively and we briefly had Coleraine weighing in with the McGoldricks. But only having one Steelstown player representing the whole of North Derry highlights that there is definitely an issue with developing County standard players and some sort of intervention is required because the clubs and schools in North Derry can't seem to do it themselves.

A possible solution or catalyst could be a divisional academy for underage players not that aren't just meeting the grade for the development squads. That's really a role that schools should be fulfilling but they aren't.

[Mario]

I've never cared about the North Derry/South Derry split. Ideally, I'd like Dungiven representation in the county team but after that it makes no difference to me if other players are from Derry or Ballinderry. I don't think there is discrimination going on because you live on one side of the Glenshane pass and not the other.

These days, the main route to the county team is via development squads.

[oakleaflad]

A lot seem to miss the fact that a lot of North Derry clubs are just much smaller in size. They aren't producing county players in the same way that Moneymore or Ballymaguigan aren't. To just lump them in as poorly coached etc. is somewhat wrong in my view.

Someone I know was recently involved in submitting an U12.5 team for the next couple months to bridge the gap between Go Games and U14s.

Most clubs in Derry have entered and had to submit their number of year 8 boys. It really opened my eyes. Ballinascreen, Glen and Magherafelt had 20+ year 8 boys. Every other South Derry club that entered had 10+ year 8 boys.
Some of the North Derry clubs, you could count on one hand how many they had.
This isn't to bash anyone, the clubs entered and are trying. But it is an eye-opener.
Realistically bar Dungiven, Steelstown and maybe Limavady and Faughanvale at times, the clubs wont have anywhere near the same population to compete with.

[Cluborcountywhynotboth]

I've weighed in on this before so I'll try not to than rant too long but my opinion is that yes there are a lot more players from south derry with inter county ability, but there is definitely a bias at underage to 'established' or big clubs. If you are a young chap from a small north Derry club vying for a place on a development panel against someone from a traditional big club the odds are against you due to the historical bias and the fact alot of the coaches are from these clubs. While the difference might be small at say 15 by the time these players get to senior level one has been involved in county set up and all the benefits that brings for a number of years and the other has only had club football and coaching, so athletically and ability wise the gap is now huge. It's no coincidence that steelstown are the only north Derry club with senior representatives and they have had Hugh McGrath involved at underage for a number of years championing their players cause.
And it's not just at young age groups, for example, I've been speaking to a few of the under 20 management in recent weeks and they are waxing lyrical about young Bryson from Faughanvale, apparently he is standing out with the 20s this year in training and challenge games and was decent last year too, yet doesn't seem to be ever mentioned in despatches on here despite numerous names from the panel being named as possibles for the the future, and doesn't seem to be getting looked at by management either. He didn't come through the development route and isn't from a big club so isn't earmarked for the future no matter what he does is my point.

In short players need opportunities and exposure at the younger age groups to develop, and while there is and always will be more players of that standard in south Derry due to the clubs and the schooling, we need to find a way to open up path ways to more players of the requisite ability from the north and city.

[Ryan O]

The argument always was that their was bias from management from South to North, having had 3 Tyrone men in a row I think we can safely put that narrative to bed. It doesn't exist, they would pick ND players if they were good enough.

Now there is 5 North Derry teams in Senior football it definitely seems there is a push on there with Limavady, Faughanvale and Glenullin all moving up. This will hopefully benefit the county as a whole.

In regards to development squads I get somewhat what the issue is here but I do believe its a self inflicted one. The bigger clubs in Derry push themselves to the front when getting the children exposure.

Every club was requested to pick 5 of their best and send them for trials. I know of at least 3 clubs who sent 6/7/8 and forced the decision making to development managers, while getting more of their players exposure.
If you send 8 you'll probably get 4 if you send 4 you might get 2, numbers game.

Also the comfort a young lad has when on a pitch with 5 or 6 of his clubmates is massive.

And just for the record my club isn't one that pushes ourselves to the forefront and we're South Derry, I think if you want noticed start making noise around Owenbeg. Can't blame individuals who volunteer up there for being slightly more loyal to their own clubs.

[jb77]

Paddy Tally gave a fair a run as any, Ben McCarron got plenty of game time unfortunately it probably didn't work out but an impressive player for Sigerson in his time and club.

[Stickittotheman]

On that podcast about Derry and Tyrone demographics Kenny Archer completely dismissed Cahair's take on GAA in the city. A few days later the BBC did a voxpop in the city to get people's thoughts on the naming of Celtic Park to FindInsurance Celtic Park. Most people said they didn't really have much of an opinion as they were more soccer people. It completely backed the point O'Kane was making a few days earlier.

Well across the city there are around 6k playing underage soccer. There are 4k playing Gaelic football. One of the reasons why soccer is far bigger in the city is because of Derry City FC. Probably 2nd biggest club in Ireland behind Shamrock Rovers? Linfield up there too. Of course people are going to be drawn to such a big club right on their doorstep. Playing in the Southern league cant be underestimated either.

But something that is never ever discussed is the difficulty of playing Gaelic football in an urban area. Most people live in terraced housing with very little space, particularly back or front gardens. Space is at a premium. Even outside space is at a premium. It's far easier to stick two jumpers down as goalposts and play some soccer in street. Great strides have been made in the last decade with underage teams. It will always be 2nd fiddle in the city though. Just how it is.

[Silver hill]

On that podcast about Derry and Tyrone demographics Kenny Archer completely dismissed Cahair's take on GAA in the city. A few days later the BBC did a voxpop in the city to get people's thoughts on the naming of Celtic Park to FindInsurance Celtic Park. Most people said they didn't really have much of an opinion as they were more soccer people. It completely backed the point O'Kane was making a few days earlier.

Well across the city there are around 6k playing underage soccer. There are 4k playing Gaelic football. One of the reasons why soccer is far bigger in the city is because of Derry City FC. Probably 2nd biggest club in Ireland behind Shamrock Rovers? Linfield up there too. Of course people are going to be drawn to such a big club right on their doorstep. Playing in the Southern league cant be underestimated either.

But something that is never ever discussed is the difficulty of playing Gaelic football in an urban area. Most people live in terraced housing with very little space, particularly back or front gardens. Space is at a premium. Even outside space is at a premium. It's far easier to stick two jumpers down as goalposts and play some soccer in street. Great strides have been made in the last decade with underage teams. It will always be 2nd fiddle in the city though. Just how it is.

Don't think that's the case, when was the last time you saw kids playing soccer in the street....anywhere?

[Wildweasel74]

There is not 4k playing Gaelic football, where u get that?

[Wildweasel74]

I seen Bryson play and he a good footballer but we enough small forwards and hes in that bracket.we need a few bigger forwards like Higgins. The lad Curran playing midfield Vales best player, think he was on the panel 8/9yrs bck.

[Stickittotheman]

There is not 4k playing Gaelic football, where u get that?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60164401

Its a few years old now but around 4k is probably close to it.

[Stickittotheman]

On that podcast about Derry and Tyrone demographics Kenny Archer completely dismissed Cahair's take on GAA in the city. A few days later the BBC did a voxpop in the city to get people's thoughts on the naming of Celtic Park to FindInsurance Celtic Park. Most people said they didn't really have much of an opinion as they were more soccer people. It completely backed the point O'Kane was making a few days earlier.

Well across the city there are around 6k playing underage soccer. There are 4k playing Gaelic football. One of the reasons why soccer is far bigger in the city is because of Derry City FC. Probably 2nd biggest club in Ireland behind Shamrock Rovers? Linfield up there too. Of course people are going to be drawn to such a big club right on their doorstep. Playing in the Southern league cant be underestimated either.

But something that is never ever discussed is the difficulty of playing Gaelic football in an urban area. Most people live in terraced housing with very little space, particularly back or front gardens. Space is at a premium. Even outside space is at a premium. It's far easier to stick two jumpers down as goalposts and play some soccer in street. Great strides have been made in the last decade with underage teams. It will always be 2nd fiddle in the city though. Just how it is.

Don't think that's the case, when was the last time you saw kids playing soccer in the street....anywhere?

Well obviously the last ten years in particular has seen kids glued to tablets and game consoles, but still plenty about where I live who play soccer out in the street. Traditionally there wasn't the space available to be playing Gaelic football was my point. Far easier to fire two jumpers down as goalposts and go from there. Even finding somewhere to do that could be a challenge at times. I should know since I grew up in the heart of the city.

[oakleaflad]

There is not 4k playing Gaelic football, where u get that?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60164401

Its a few years old now but around 4k is probably close to it.

That's the Derry City and Strabane council area. Not even remotely the same numbers as the city, and a large number not even in the same county.

[Stickittotheman]

There is not 4k playing Gaelic football, where u get that?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60164401

Its a few years old now but around 4k is probably close to it.

That's the Derry City and Strabane council area. Not even remotely the same numbers as the city, and a large number not even in the same county.

What, the GAA heartlands of Newbuildings? Or Artigarvan with a population of about 200. There are almost 5k playing Gaelic football in the council area- shave off about 1k outside of the city. It isn't as if the areas have massive populations and Strabane would be primarily a soccer town as well.

[93-DY-SAM]

On that podcast about Derry and Tyrone demographics Kenny Archer completely dismissed Cahair's take on GAA in the city. A few days later the BBC did a voxpop in the city to get people's thoughts on the naming of Celtic Park to FindInsurance Celtic Park. Most people said they didn't really have much of an opinion as they were more soccer people. It completely backed the point O'Kane was making a few days earlier.

Well across the city there are around 6k playing underage soccer. There are 4k playing Gaelic football. One of the reasons why soccer is far bigger in the city is because of Derry City FC. Probably 2nd biggest club in Ireland behind Shamrock Rovers? Linfield up there too. Of course people are going to be drawn to such a big club right on their doorstep. Playing in the Southern league cant be underestimated either.

But something that is never ever discussed is the difficulty of playing Gaelic football in an urban area. Most people live in terraced housing with very little space, particularly back or front gardens. Space is at a premium. Even outside space is at a premium. It's far easier to stick two jumpers down as goalposts and play some soccer in street. Great strides have been made in the last decade with underage teams. It will always be 2nd fiddle in the city though. Just how it is.

Don't think that's the case, when was the last time you saw kids playing soccer in the street....anywhere?

Well obviously the last ten years in particular has seen kids glued to tablets and game consoles, but still plenty about where I live who play soccer out in the street. Traditionally there wasn't the space available to be playing Gaelic football was my point. Far easier to fire two jumpers down as goalposts and go from there. Even finding somewhere to do that could be a challenge at times. I should know since I grew up in the heart of the city.

Just to clarify, I've no axe to grind with any club or any North v South split in the county. That does f all good for anyone. I was just pointing out the facts of where things are, given the discussion that was had during that podcast and that Cahair wasn't far off in his assessment of things in the county.

Personally, I couldn't give a damn where any player comes from. If you are good enough, you are good enough, regardless of club or location. Simple as that.