Derry Club Football & Hurling original

[93-DY-SAM]

Good to see all the young players get a mention.

I'd be in favour of letting go of any player over 26 who has previously been involved with the Derry senior panel but hasn't managed to establish himself. If it hasnt happened by that stage it is very unlikely to happen.

I'd rather see opportunities given to younger players who have the potential to develop and become regulars over the next few years.

Ruthless, but I'd agree with that and think that is where we are at.

[Loadster]

"based off club championship"

I'm not saying this is the best team but some of the names being pointed out as being missed have been very average over the last 3 months.
Toner (injured I believe played 1 game maybe 2 and was ok)
Cassidy (Struggled to impact in a Bellaghy team that was playing fairly well)
Baker ( Good game against understrength Swatragh, went missing for the remainder)
Gilmore ( Big athlete but the game is played with a ball)
Mc Monagle (Nice accurate player, doesn't seem to be able to work out a defensively acute team)

Shane, Gareth Mc Kinless obviously start if fully fit and on form. But there are definitely lads starting to put pressure on for positions.

We have to move away from " remember what these lads have done for Derry".

Sentimental stuff won't win all irelands. Imagine we had players with 5/6 all Ireland medals they would get playing forever.

I agree 100% with this.

Many of our current county senior players now seem stale/jaded - we saw it in the last 2 seasons and it was very evident in this years club championship.

In that list I'd include:
Baker, Glass, Cassidy, E Doherty, Toner, N Laughlin.

most of those are still capable but I think they need to prove they have the hunger. In the meantime there are new blood coming through strong who should have the space to establish themselves.
In that bracket:
C Higgins, O Doherty, C McAteer would be top of the list.
next tier are M Downey, Mulholland, S and E Young, McEldowney.

Eoin McEvoy and J Sargent are now our key players and we build a team around them.

Rodgers, McGuigan and McKinless are still quality and still playing well. They are important to help bed in the next generation

With the right leadership on the line we have as much talent as any county. It is there for sure

Doire abu

[marty34]

I think one rule that should come into play this year from the Derry management and it's that anyone from No. 22 - 36 on the panel should be allowed back to their clubs when there's Derry Senior League club matches being played.


Free them up and let these players play for their clubs. Should be made a rule from when they go back training in December.


It would be a win-win for the Derry management and clubs.

[GTP]

About 40 players have been mentioned for inclusion in the 2027 squad, I presume that when they get together it will be the usual silence and no one will know who is involved until the McKenna Cup or league throws in.
It is going to be very difficult to build a team at county level due to the split season 6 months on and 6 months off destroys any continuity and doesn't leave much room for experiments or trying out new players. There is enough players out there to get a good team and squad together just not sure we will have enough to start winning things.

[Maghera was Black]

Fairly evident from all the names being mention is the gaping hole at no.3. No out and out man marker since Chrissy retired. McEvoy and Forbes(our only break through player of 2026) offer too much out the field to be stuck in our own square as their best attributes are not man to man marking. We're into a new era this should be McEvoy/Forbes/Sargent/Murray's team these are the lads that will be our middle core for the next 5 years. Lynch's return solves the goalkeeping position in the short term but it seems that no one is coming behind pushing for the no1 shirt (have all our best keepers gone to the states to play NFL?) Louis Regan didn't get any minutes for Lavey which is worrying.

Ethan and Glass are generational talents and i hope they get their hunger back over the winter, is it worth trying Glass at no.3?

Rogers is ever green and had a mighty campaign for Slaughtneil but he won't be around forever to play at no.9. Jury still out on Dan Higgins for me as a starter as he struggled to cover the ground for pace against the big Meath fielders who hoovered up everything. Tohill hasnt kicked a ball at club level in 2 years after a bit of progress under Tally so his career looks over which makes me think our long term midfield is McEvoy and Forbes.

Feck it i'd make Sargent and McEvoy joint captains and lets look and plan for the next 5 years ahead

[HonDerry]

I think one rule that should come into play this year from the Derry management and it's that anyone from No. 22 - 36 on the panel should be allowed back to their clubs when there's Derry Senior League club matches being played.


Free them up and let these players play for their clubs. Should be made a rule from when they go back training in December.

It would be a win-win for the Derry management and clubs.

Agreed with to a point but come Ulster championship cant have a hard and fast rule as the full squad is needed for training. And those training sessions are on a Saturday/Sunday. But the general principle could apply

[HonDerry]

Fairly evident from all the names being mention is the gaping hole at no.3. No out and out man marker since Chrissy retired. McEvoy and Forbes(our only break through player of 2026) offer too much out the field to be stuck in our own square as their best attributes are not man to man marking. We're into a new era this should be McEvoy/Forbes/Sargent/Murray's team these are the lads that will be our middle core for the next 5 years. Lynch's return solves the goalkeeping position in the short term but it seems that no one is coming behind pushing for the no1 shirt (have all our best keepers gone to the states to play NFL?) Louis Regan didn't get any minutes for Lavey which is worrying.

Ethan and Glass are generational talents and i hope they get their hunger back over the winter, is it worth trying Glass at no.3?

Rogers is ever green and had a mighty campaign for Slaughtneil but he won't be around forever to play at no.9. Jury still out on Dan Higgins for me as a starter as he struggled to cover the ground for pace against the big Meath fielders who hoovered up everything. Tohill hasnt kicked a ball at club level in 2 years after a bit of progress under Tally so his career looks over which makes me think our long term midfield is McEvoy and Forbes.

Feck it i'd make Sargent and McEvoy joint captains and lets look and plan for the next 5 years ahead

Wondering did you watch much of the club championship.

Louis Regan did get minutes for Lavey, not much but this was only because of injury

I wouldn't have Forbes near midfield for county. He's a half-back, but may need to be full back for another while yet. He doesn't stand out at midfield for Ballinderry when they face a team with a strong midfield.

At county level, you need more size and  power as well as athleticism. 6'3 is the minimum size for a top midfield and Forbes is below that.
For me, Rogers and Higgins are the men for now. Higgins stood out in the second half of the county final when it mattered most. He is still only 23 which gives him time to develop into top-class county midfield. For big men, their peak will be 25 to 30 in my book. Rogers was exceptional in the Sneil/Mfelt game.

As for the Meath game, Higgins missed nearly all of the league as he was only returning from a knee injury and wasn't fully fit. There has been plenty of discussion here about Derry needing big, athletic ball-winners in midfield. We have two of them at present in Rogers and Higgins. Looking ahead, Tommy Rogers is the obvious replacement for Brendan Rogers once he adds more size. McEvoy did a great job for Magherafelt in midfield but still has work to do on high fielding. Better at centre half-back, in my view.

Lastly, you don't have joint captains at county level, McEvoy should be our next captain.

[Ryan O]

Ruairi Forbes will grow into 3 and eventually end up at 6 I think. A good man marker and will have no issues there this year.
James Murray is a top class man marker even at a very young edge, the job he done against Shane was as good as I've seen.
Clucky we know all about maybe a little small to tick all the boxes but one of our best players.

Dan Higgins starts this year, came on massively and only settling in.

Glass at 3? Really?
People get caught up in man marking role, bar the quick break and early kick old defensive systems still influences most teams.

Kickout targets would be a bigger aim as thats were we were cleaned out more than once.
From team I selected you would think:
Conor Doc
Eoin Mc Evoy
Dan Higgins
Brendan
Conor Glass
Oisin Mc Williams
Clucky (Short Kicks)
are all very capable targets.

Of all the teams, suggestions and discussions I don't see many compelling arguments for Paudie Mc Grogan. Massive leader in every team he plays but has the injury hampered him do we think. Maybe his fitness/ speed is still work in progress.

[JoG2]

"based off club championship"

I'm not saying this is the best team but some of the names being pointed out as being missed have been very average over the last 3 months.
Toner (injured I believe played 1 game maybe 2 and was ok)
Cassidy (Struggled to impact in a Bellaghy team that was playing fairly well)
Baker ( Good game against understrength Swatragh, went missing for the remainder)
Gilmore ( Big athlete but the game is played with a ball)
Mc Monagle (Nice accurate player, doesn't seem to be able to work out a defensively acute team)

Shane, Gareth Mc Kinless obviously start if fully fit and on form. But there are definitely lads starting to put pressure on for positions.

We have to move away from " remember what these lads have done for Derry".

Sentimental stuff won't win all irelands. Imagine we had players with 5/6 all Ireland medals they would get playing forever.

I agree 100% with this.

Many of our current county senior players now seem stale/jaded - we saw it in the last 2 seasons and it was very evident in this years club championship.

In that list I'd include:
Baker, Glass, Cassidy, E Doherty, Toner, N Loughlin

Loughlin has been our most consistent player since returning from injury, always gives it everything, how you can view him as stale/jaded I don't know. Baker isn't an elite county player but gives everything, and Toner always puts in a shift

[Topmarks]

"based off club championship"

I'm not saying this is the best team but some of the names being pointed out as being missed have been very average over the last 3 months.
Toner (injured I believe played 1 game maybe 2 and was ok)
Cassidy (Struggled to impact in a Bellaghy team that was playing fairly well)
Baker ( Good game against understrength Swatragh, went missing for the remainder)
Gilmore ( Big athlete but the game is played with a ball)
Mc Monagle (Nice accurate player, doesn't seem to be able to work out a defensively acute team)

Shane, Gareth Mc Kinless obviously start if fully fit and on form. But there are definitely lads starting to put pressure on for positions.

We have to move away from " remember what these lads have done for Derry".

Sentimental stuff won't win all irelands. Imagine we had players with 5/6 all Ireland medals they would get playing forever.

I agree 100% with this.

Many of our current county senior players now seem stale/jaded - we saw it in the last 2 seasons and it was very evident in this years club championship.

In that list I'd include:
Baker, Glass, Cassidy, E Doherty, Toner, N Loughlin

Loughlin has been our most consistent player since returning from injury, always gives it everything, how you can view him as stale/jaded I don't know. Baker isn't an elite county player but gives everything, and Toner always puts in a shift

It's going to be a difficult call but a good few of the boys who were core to the Gallagher regime have to take a back seat now.

This is the time when we get new blood into the team when we still have Rogers, Glass and hopefully McKinless. Get them in when the experienced boys are still around.

I could name 7 or 8 lads who need starts in the league with James Murray, James Sargent, Conall Higgins chief amongst them. I'd also like to see Niall O'Donnell, Ryan McNicholl and the two Young's get a go. These lads have stood out at underage so we need to start giving them a chance to show what they have.

If we give plenty of game time to younger lads I would happily take a mid table position in division 2.

[Topmarks]

Just reading some posts and big Dan Higgins did show up for Magherafelt when it counted. But he hasn't done it at county level. Hopefully he can stay fit because we need power in the middle, but still a question mark over whether he can do it at that level.

[Wildweasel74]

I dont think theres a doubt he can do it, he needs a full league to get the fitness up for the 70mins games come championship nxt year.He Hardly played any league games past 2yrs.  Hes got a very heavy build, nearly a GAA Arnie, and may need drop a bit of muscle, for more mobility/fitness.

[Ryan O]

"based off club championship"

I'm not saying this is the best team but some of the names being pointed out as being missed have been very average over the last 3 months.
Toner (injured I believe played 1 game maybe 2 and was ok)
Cassidy (Struggled to impact in a Bellaghy team that was playing fairly well)
Baker ( Good game against understrength Swatragh, went missing for the remainder)
Gilmore ( Big athlete but the game is played with a ball)
Mc Monagle (Nice accurate player, doesn't seem to be able to work out a defensively acute team)

Shane, Gareth Mc Kinless obviously start if fully fit and on form. But there are definitely lads starting to put pressure on for positions.

We have to move away from " remember what these lads have done for Derry".

Sentimental stuff won't win all irelands. Imagine we had players with 5/6 all Ireland medals they would get playing forever.

I agree 100% with this.

Many of our current county senior players now seem stale/jaded - we saw it in the last 2 seasons and it was very evident in this years club championship.

In that list I'd include:
Baker, Glass, Cassidy, E Doherty, Toner, N Loughlin

Loughlin has been our most consistent player since returning from injury, always gives it everything, how you can view him as stale/jaded I don't know. Baker isn't an elite county player but gives everything, and Toner always puts in a shift

It's going to be a difficult call but a good few of the boys who were core to the Gallagher regime have to take a back seat now.

This is the time when we get new blood into the team when we still have Rogers, Glass and hopefully McKinless. Get them in when the experienced boys are still around.

I could name 7 or 8 lads who need starts in the league with James Murray, James Sargent, Conall Higgins chief amongst them. I'd also like to see Niall O'Donnell, Ryan McNicholl and the two Young's get a go. These lads have stood out at underage so we need to start giving them a chance to show what they have.

If we give plenty of game time to younger lads I would happily take a mid table position in division 2.

Ryan Mc Nicholl, theres a name that hasn't been mentioned in the conversation for a while. After watching him in championship do we think he is county standard?
I get its tough for him probably in a slightly ageing Glenullin team who are trying to find their feet in senior football again but for me I didn't see someone who would have the required impact.

I'd be putting him in the Mc Monagle, Kearney, Diamond, Gallagher, Cormac Murphy bracket and I couldn't argue he's a better player than any of them lads.

Dangerous forward who gets on score sheet but if he's earmarked by any of the 6 or 8 people we are talking about starting in defence for Derry he doesn't get much of a kick at it.

[Topmarks]

Any word on the county management teams? I didn't see any confirmation for minor, u20 and senior setups?

The only confirmation was that McErlain had left the 20s with no word on who was replacing him.

[Loadster]

"based off club championship"

I'm not saying this is the best team but some of the names being pointed out as being missed have been very average over the last 3 months.
Toner (injured I believe played 1 game maybe 2 and was ok)
Cassidy (Struggled to impact in a Bellaghy team that was playing fairly well)
Baker ( Good game against understrength Swatragh, went missing for the remainder)
Gilmore ( Big athlete but the game is played with a ball)
Mc Monagle (Nice accurate player, doesn't seem to be able to work out a defensively acute team)

Shane, Gareth Mc Kinless obviously start if fully fit and on form. But there are definitely lads starting to put pressure on for positions.

We have to move away from " remember what these lads have done for Derry".

Sentimental stuff won't win all irelands. Imagine we had players with 5/6 all Ireland medals they would get playing forever.

I agree 100% with this.

Many of our current county senior players now seem stale/jaded - we saw it in the last 2 seasons and it was very evident in this years club championship.

In that list I'd include:
Baker, Glass, Cassidy, E Doherty, Toner, N Loughlin

Loughlin has been our most consistent player since returning from injury, always gives it everything, how you can view him as stale/jaded I don't know. Baker isn't an elite county player but gives everything, and Toner always puts in a shift

We are not getting back to the top table with Toner, Laughlin or Baker. These lads give 100% every time, agreed, but to win championships that's a given for the whole squad.