Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[Ball]

Just a query for those supporters who have attended Derry Club games  this year. From Ciaran Meenagh's 2027 Derry County team perspective, who were the stand out players especially when you take into account those club teams which have already played two rounds in this years's Derry championships at all levels?

 There would be one caveat. There would be no point in selecting players,no matter how talented they were, if they were likely not to make themselves available to the County panel or who would be likely to disappear after a few games of the National Football League!

Could the add on to this question be who have we seen who is regularly involved for Derry who doesn't look they are at the level any more.

James Murray - Magherafelt
Cathal Mc Kaigue - Slaughtneil
Damon Gallagher - Bellaghy
Tommy Rogers - Kilrea
Oisin Mc Williams - Swatragh
Oisin Doherty - Newbridge

James Murray was on the panel this year just wasnt used. Hopefully he sticks it out and gets some gametime next season.

Think we need to be moulding new midfielders be that cathal mckaigue, tommy rogers, matthew diamond.

Would conor mcateer not commit? Not sure why he left the panel.

Alex doherty be an option? when hes on form hes top quality and loves a goal

[Ryan O]

Didn't include Conor or Alex due to commitment question, but they were the most impressive two players of the weekend.

I agree that we aren't going to find brand new players its more who has been there and is moving up a level.

[HonDerry]

James Murray - yes
Oisin McWilliams - let's see him against a top 4 side and then make a call
Shane McGrogan - maybe
Donnacha Gilmore - maybe let's see how he goes in the rest of championship
Alex Doherty - can't see him committing
Oisin Doherty - yes
Johnny McGuckin - no.
Rory Small - Aidan McCluskey and McLarnon would be ahead of him from a Mfelt pick
Eamon Young - maybe but let's see how his championship progresses. Was ok on Friday
Cahir McMonagle - can't see him going back
Shea McCann - no - haven't seen him do much quality opposition
Cathal Mc Kaigue - Slaughtneil - no - caught 2 balls against Mfelt and that was it. Didn't have much impact in their game v Banagher
Damon Gallagher - maybe
Tommy Rogers - Kilrea - yes

[Ryan O]

James Murray - yes
Oisin McWilliams - let's see him against a top 4 side and then make a call
Shane McGrogan - maybe
Donnacha Gilmore - maybe let's see how he goes in the rest of championship
Alex Doherty - can't see him committing
Oisin Doherty - yes
Johnny McGuckin - no.
Rory Small - Aidan McCluskey and McLarnon would be ahead of him from a Mfelt pick
Eamon Young - maybe but let's see how his championship progresses. Was ok on Friday
Cahir McMonagle - can't see him going back
Shea McCann - no - haven't seen him do much quality opposition
Cathal Mc Kaigue - Slaughtneil - no - caught 2 balls against Mfelt and that was it. Didn't have much impact in their game v Banagher
Damon Gallagher - maybe
Tommy Rogers - Kilrea - yes

I think you are almost spot on here except for Cathal Mc Kaigue. I in no way see him as a midfielder his fielding isn't just there yet, still very young. I would be more looking at a full back/ corner back or even first 2 or 3 subs role.
We don't have and abundance of big physical men who are quick.

The way Eoin Mc Evoy is performing I think maybe CHB is his place.

[Topmarks]

McEvoy has been a powerhouse, really impressed by him.

Also, I haven't seen the Martins but Ryan McEldowney is a good player.

[Maghera was Black]

Oisin McWilliams - let's see him against a top 4 side and then make a call

No hope for any intermediate/junior players then...

[jb77]

McWilliams should be brought up in November for training in any case. Big skilled players aren't that abundant in Derry, reps against good opposition is what he needs. Might never play a role for Derry but it's worth a go.

Shame that D McDermott is out, he would was going very well in league, defending and breaking out at speed. Conleth McGrogan is another all rounder reminds me a lot of CD but he wouldn't commit last year so that's a no go. Clucky has set my standards for a corner back abit too high, as good as it gets imo

[Brendan]

Tiernan Moore deserves a mention, hes doing it against the big temas and had a good season last year to

[Derry Optimist]

 Apparently last year Cahir McMonagle would not commit himself to the Senior panel as he wanted to play soccer for a year.Also, for whatever reason, Oisin Doherty would not commit to the U20 county team.  If both of them would be available for the incoming season,they, along with a fully fit Danny McDermott,Donncha Gilmore, Martin Bradley and Ryan McNicholl of Glenullin are surely worthy of serious consideration. Past experience  shows that unfortunately from a Derry perspective (and most other counties have the same problem),there are four or five talented individuals who just do not want to commit to the county cause which is their right to do so. From a purely selfish county point of view that is sad  but it is their lives to make their personal choices.

[Topmarks]

McWilliams should be brought up in November for training in any case. Big skilled players aren't that abundant in Derry, reps against good opposition is what he needs. Might never play a role for Derry but it's worth a go.

Shame that D McDermott is out, he would was going very well in league, defending and breaking out at speed. Conleth McGrogan is another all rounder reminds me a lot of CD but he wouldn't commit last year so that's a no go. Clucky has set my standards for a corner back abit too high, as good as it gets imo

What's the deal with D McDermott, will he be back for Glen?

[THEALBION1878]

Any truth in  faughenvale wanting to go down?

[Brendan]

Still training although could be for the reserve championship so will know better after theyre put out of it tonight

[HonDerry]

Oisin McWilliams - let's see him against a top 4 side and then make a call

No hope for any intermediate/junior players then...

Believe it or not, Meenagh isn't consulting me on this!

I'm just watching senior league and championship games and giving my own humble opinion. If there are top-quality players at intermediate or junior level, I'm sure they'll make themselves known, just as Niall Loughlin and Lachlann Murray have done.

The other point around county player selection is the huge demand it places on their time. They need to be in the right jobs to give them the flexibility around finishing times and getting time off, and they need a lot of family support as well.

For newer players, you also have to be comfortable going from being one of the top players at your club to effectively starting again at the bottom of the heap in a county setup and working your way up. That won't suit everyone, regardless of how talented they are.

[Ryan O]

Apparently last year Cahir McMonagle would not commit himself to the Senior panel as he wanted to play soccer for a year.Also, for whatever reason, Oisin Doherty would not commit to the U20 county team.  If both of them would be available for the incoming season,they, along with a fully fit Danny McDermott,Donncha Gilmore, Martin Bradley and Ryan McNicholl of Glenullin are surely worthy of serious consideration. Past experience  shows that unfortunately from a Derry perspective (and most other counties have the same problem),there are four or five talented individuals who just do not want to commit to the county cause which is their right to do so. From a purely selfish county point of view that is sad  but it is their lives to make their personal choices.

Donnacha Gilmore I think could be good squad player and I think Martin Bradley has done enough to justify a place around it.

I'm unsure about Mc Dermott or Mc Nicholl, both Mc Dermotts are series athletes but I don't think thats enough to get you on a County team. Seem very injury prone also.
We'll see how Mc Nicholl goes on Wednesday, he had good spells against Loup but there needs to be more than that. Tiarnan Moore alot more impressive that him against stronger opposition.

Are you suggesting that someone who chose not to commit because they wanted to play soccer should be offered another opportunity? Does that bring Jack Doherty and Conor Mc Ateer into the mix?

We saw Mc Monagle against Magherafelt do we think he is county standard? Allow for the fact that a lad who has yet to play senior Inter county football was marking him?

[Derry Optimist]

 I agree with the suggestion that Tiernan Moore should also be under consideration for a place in the Derry Senior panel. Shane McGuigan is the only current Derry player who features in  this years Senior Championship top five scorers. Cahir McMonagle, Alex Doherty, Oisin Doherty and Tiarnan Moore are the others.

 Of course, both regular Senior County men, Niall Loughlin and Lachlan Murray, continue to feature prominently in the Intermediate Championship top scoring stakes.