Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[GTP]

Any word on why M Downey was out of the squad on Sunday?

[Estimator]

After the Meath game, there was a lot of negativity and by all accounts, Meenagh gave it to them in the week that followed. And since then, the performances have been getting better game by game. So huge credit to him and the team he has assembled.

Secondly we are starting to see the fruit of hard work by clubs and county. The 2020 All-Ireland team is making its mark on this team with Murray, McEvoy established players, Higgins giving us much needed size and presence, Downey giving us some glimpses, and Patrick McGurk another great option once his injury clears.
 
Soon have the 2023 minor team ready to push for places/provide options, Conall Higgins, Tommy Rodgers, and Eamonn Young and James Sargent (but I dont see him used this year after an ACL operation last June/July.) These lads won't see much or any time this year, but being in this high-performance environment will be massive for their development.

Add to that the form of our big players, Glass, Rodgers, CD, Paudi, McKinless, McQuigan, Ethan and Paul Cassidy. And 2 quality keepers, with Shea McGuckin putting in great performances each time he is in.

It's a great time again to be a Derry fan, and yes, I know it is only March.

Just looking at that team, I think 10 of the starting team in the AI Final v Kerry have made senior appearances: Patrick McGurk, Donncha Gilmore, Eoin McEvoy, Dan Higgins, Jody McDermott, Matthew Downey, Mark Doherty, Niall O'Donnell, Lachlan Murray and Charlie Diamond.
Decent return, but obviously some have been more successful than others.