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Derry GAA Thread

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Good start to Division two on Saturday although against fairly limited opposition if we are honest. I think we should have enough about us to gain promotion although I do worry about our over reliance on Shane McGuigan. As it is though Louth up next and expecting a tough game but we should have too much for them. Getting two wins on the board early doors would be great for momentum and you can't buy that in sport.

A good season would see promotion from Division two, a good crack at retaining our Ulster crown and qualifying out of the round Robin in the summer with one off games which will be tight then going either way. The top eight in the country don't have much between them. We are right in the mix.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 209 - 30/01/2023 19:07:49    2455396

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Yep, we won't get a game easier than that one all year. We actually have a stronger team this year for me. Rogers to midfield and young McEvoy and Murray in make us stronger. Backing up last year will be tough though. I don't think we'd be out of place in Div1 but neither would Dublin or Kildare so it'll be a tough league campaign. I'd be wary of the away trip to Kildare.

oakleaflad (Derry) - Posts: 46 - 02/02/2023 11:36:53    2455966

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Another win today but very underwhelming. In fairness Louth are a tricky outfit in Ardee but we just about got over the line. Again heavily reliant on Shane McGuigan. That is going to be our biggest problem this year- if he gets injured we are in deep trouble. Overall though 2 wins from 2 is what we expected and a big game now in two weeks against a high flying Meath. We will need to up our game.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 209 - 05/02/2023 21:03:48    2456783

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A massive and impressive win this evening against a Meath team that were very poor despite the pre-match build up. In the end it was an easy win but also one which has laid a marker. We have to get promoted from this position now one would imagine. Kildare in Newbridge next then Dublin at Celtic Park. If Ethan Doherty and Niall Toner can continue supplementing Shane McGuigan's scores like they have in the last few games we could have a huge season. Also must be said that Eoin McEvoy has been excellent and his emergence has allowed Brendan Rogers to move to midfield where he has been very good. Paudie Cassidy offers good cover and is a man who can fill plenty of positions. A really important guy to keep fit.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 209 - 18/02/2023 21:07:07    2458929

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Replying To Jazzyjeff:  "A massive and impressive win this evening against a Meath team that were very poor despite the pre-match build up. In the end it was an easy win but also one which has laid a marker. We have to get promoted from this position now one would imagine. Kildare in Newbridge next then Dublin at Celtic Park. If Ethan Doherty and Niall Toner can continue supplementing Shane McGuigan's scores like they have in the last few games we could have a huge season. Also must be said that Eoin McEvoy has been excellent and his emergence has allowed Brendan Rogers to move to midfield where he has been very good. Paudie Cassidy offers good cover and is a man who can fill plenty of positions. A really important guy to keep fit."
Impressive? Meath ladies would have put up a better show. Don't get carried away just yet.

Neartheborder (Derry) - Posts: 59 - 18/02/2023 21:25:57    2458935

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yeah it was men against boys at best, dont be getting carried away

DCFCGAA (Derry) - Posts: 65 - 19/02/2023 11:08:50    2458976

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Replying To DCFCGAA:  "yeah it was men against boys at best, dont be getting carried away"
The build up before the game had this down as a tight game and some on this forum were even predicting a Meath victory if you look at the prediction thread. Meath were very poor and their tactics played into our hands but beating any team in Division two by 11 points is impressive. You can only beat what is in front of you at the end of the day and we looked excellent last night in tough conditions. Our handling was exceptional. Long way to go but heading in a very positive direction in backing up last year's marker.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 209 - 19/02/2023 14:51:33    2459019

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I found it unsettling to hear RTE describe Owenbeg as the "Heart of Derry GAA". I don't think the Foreglen Road could ever be considered the heart of Derry football. If you look at the routes of football in the county it all started in the South Derry clubs. The fact that Magherafelt was the county ground before the 1970s proves my point. In a perfect world the centre of excellence would have been between Maghera and Magherafelt in the Loughinsholin barony aka South Derry.

PattyONeill (Derry) - Posts: 246 - 21/02/2023 17:19:24    2459648

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Replying To PattyONeill:  "I found it unsettling to hear RTE describe Owenbeg as the "Heart of Derry GAA". I don't think the Foreglen Road could ever be considered the heart of Derry football. If you look at the routes of football in the county it all started in the South Derry clubs. The fact that Magherafelt was the county ground before the 1970s proves my point. In a perfect world the centre of excellence would have been between Maghera and Magherafelt in the Loughinsholin barony aka South Derry."
Was Dean mc Glinchey not the county ground in the 60s 70s and 80s?

Derryman2 (Derry) - Posts: 12 - 21/02/2023 19:14:43    2459671

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Replying To PattyONeill:  "I found it unsettling to hear RTE describe Owenbeg as the "Heart of Derry GAA". I don't think the Foreglen Road could ever be considered the heart of Derry football. If you look at the routes of football in the county it all started in the South Derry clubs. The fact that Magherafelt was the county ground before the 1970s proves my point. In a perfect world the centre of excellence would have been between Maghera and Magherafelt in the Loughinsholin barony aka South Derry."
You've little to be worried about. It's about the middle of the county. Fairly sure a few city/Donegal teams were the first to be winning county championships. Considering how well the county are going at the moment the fact you find this 'unsettling' is strange and quite frankly outdated.

oakleaflad (Derry) - Posts: 46 - 22/02/2023 09:44:39    2459701

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Replying To oakleaflad:  "You've little to be worried about. It's about the middle of the county. Fairly sure a few city/Donegal teams were the first to be winning county championships. Considering how well the county are going at the moment the fact you find this 'unsettling' is strange and quite frankly outdated."
Any hope of sustained success by the county lies in having North Derry being active participants in the GAA , so making Owen Beg the heartland of Derry is just plain common sense.

Derryman2 (Derry) - Posts: 12 - 22/02/2023 13:44:13    2459769

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Replying To PattyONeill:  "I found it unsettling to hear RTE describe Owenbeg as the "Heart of Derry GAA". I don't think the Foreglen Road could ever be considered the heart of Derry football. If you look at the routes of football in the county it all started in the South Derry clubs. The fact that Magherafelt was the county ground before the 1970s proves my point. In a perfect world the centre of excellence would have been between Maghera and Magherafelt in the Loughinsholin barony aka South Derry."
With an attitude like that it's no wonder so many in the county have a luke warm attitude to their support for the county set up. I include myself in that as someone who used to follow the county team a fair bit. The south Derry only focus means Derry will only every have a temporary seat at the top table. I'll not mention Celtic pk or that would really upset you.

RoverTin (Derry) - Posts: 226 - 22/02/2023 18:50:25    2459810

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Had that pencilled in as a tough test for us at the start of the league but Kildare were woeful. We didn't have to hit top gear and got the job done. Hopefully young McEvoy's injury isn't too serious.

oakleaflad (Derry) - Posts: 46 - 26/02/2023 16:28:45    2460309

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I felt last night was a win that will really boost Derry. It felt very semi final vs Galway-esque in the first half- we were off it with our efficiency and Dublin had the game under control. Second half was top drawer, it felt like the Dubs has come up to lay a marker, to let everyone know they are far from finished. That was the best they have played this season. 12 thousand at the game and an epic finish will really set Derry up going forward. They will be on a real buzz. We were asked different questions last night and we answered them when last year I don't think we would have. The introduction of Gareth McKinless was key though he really is a top player.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 209 - 05/03/2023 19:57:22    2462089

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Well done Derry. Building on last year's momentum

Jack L (None) - Posts: 3138 - 26/03/2023 21:47:42    2466934

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Really disappointing performance overall today but some mitigating circumstances with no Chrissy McKaigue and Conor Glass going off injured early in the 2nd half. It still feels though that we are a bit too light up top to be considered a really top team. Eoin McEvoy who has been superb not being available to start was a blow as well as it upset the balance of the team. Hopefully we bounce back over the next while and win Ulster again. I think we must be considered favourites for that at least.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 209 - 02/04/2023 18:34:03    2468339

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Gallagher jumped before he was pushed.

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 999 - 16/05/2023 22:30:40    2479129

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Replying To MachaireConnacht:  "Gallagher jumped before he was pushed."
Yes I think so. Ciaran Meenagh taking over for the rest of the season. How long before Malachy O'Rourke is approached? Surely he would be an outstanding candidate- well unless Meenagh wins the All Ireland of course. Maybe he will be a good appointment. Not so sure though that we are in the running for Sam now.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 209 - 17/05/2023 13:19:00    2479242

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Replying To Jazzyjeff:  "Yes I think so. Ciaran Meenagh taking over for the rest of the season. How long before Malachy O'Rourke is approached? Surely he would be an outstanding candidate- well unless Meenagh wins the All Ireland of course. Maybe he will be a good appointment. Not so sure though that we are in the running for Sam now."
O'Rourke seems like a good fit. Would Meenagh have a good claim himself seeing that he has been part of the set up for so long? I don't think Derry are ready for Sam this year. Possibly similar to Galway last year I don't think there is enough depth there when it comes to playing a Dublin or Kerry in a semi or final. The leadership and quality Glass and McGuigan showed in extra time was immense but you would wonder if that was Dublin, Kerry or even Galway would they have been able to come back like they did against Armagh. Could be an opportunity for Derry here with a new manager to expand the panel. James Horan reckons you lose at least one player a week when playing those round Robin groups. That's a high attrition rate.

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 999 - 18/05/2023 12:11:33    2479396

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Derry vs Kerry semi-final. Won't lie I wouldn't have feared drawing Dublin but Kerry have a serious arsenal all over the pitch. I wanted to avoid them. Glass and Rogers will need to have the game of their lives to drive us on in midfield. If we can control in there we have a chance

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 209 - 02/07/2023 21:48:46    2491581

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