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Well, this could be the literal death of Derry Football or it could be the day of redemption of Derry Football. If I was Damien McErlain I would be using Pat Gilroy (like McErlain it was his first league in charge) and Dublin Hurlers as an example; Dublin Hurlers did not have a great league under Gilroy with his first league in management; they didn't get relegated all the same and if they did they would not be the lowest division obviously. But Dublin Hurlers went out and nearly scraped a win of Killkenny (one of the best Hurling teams in the country and Division one champions also with Brian Cody as Killkenny Manager, the most respected Manager in the country overall) Gilroy had Dublin in good frame of mind and prepared well. Also Derry didn't have their Sleachtneil players like Dublin didn't have their Cuala players because of the club championship. Both different ball games I know. So Derry are going up against the one the best Football teams in the country who have some top class players such as Michael Murphy, Ryan McHugh, Eoin McHugh, Paddy McBrearty, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Odhran McNiallais and Neil McGee. But Donegal didn't have great league as well also getting relegated but they went out and convincingly won against a strong Cavan team at the end of it, a decent enough Cavan side that got promoted to division one. On the other hand there is a huge difference between going down to division two and going down to division four. So there is another example Bonner had Donegal prepared well and in a good mind-set. McErlain can take this as an example. So why can't Derry do the same, we have a couple good forwards like Shane McGugain and Enda Lynn etc. We have a decent Mid-Field in Emmet Bradley and Conor McAtamney and Brendan Rodgers back as our Full Back. Unfortunately we don't have some of our best players in Derry on the squad such as Niall Loughlain, Ryan Bell, Danny Heavron, Shane Heavron, Emmet McGuckin, Christopher Bradley, Patsy Bradley etc. etc. for some ridiculous reasons but we have Danny Talon and Carlus McWillaims playing for us; no harm to those two but I wouldn't let them near a Derry Jersey if I was in management. Just shows the politics in Derry GAA is a disgrace and that the management team may not have many Brain Cells. It would be great if there was a few shock additions added to the squad but it would be unlikely. I know we probably won't win but if they could at least put in a performance at home and hassle Donegal to the end I would be happy. Praying for a win. Come on Derry!!! oakleafersir (Derry) - Posts: 808 - 13/05/2018 21:02:07 2100203 Link 0 |
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Hard to see anything other than a repeat of the last two years Ulster Championship for Derry. A heavy home defeat by a better more organised team. Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 14/05/2018 12:15:10 2100488 Link 0 |
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Ben McKindless Seamy_Hendrix (Derry) - Posts: 47 - 15/05/2018 11:44:00 2100922 Link 0 |
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high enough scoring game, donegal will be far too big of an ask for derry in their first game after relegation. donegal by 10+ NaomhNaille (Donegal) - Posts: 124 - 15/05/2018 13:25:47 2100969 Link 1 |
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Derry will put up a good fight at home, I'd be ignoring the hype and giving this everything, it could be a banana skin for a young team if they start believing the media nonsense. nothing is easy in Ulster. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2749 - 15/05/2018 14:21:45 2100989 Link 0 |
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To be fair gone are the days of 'nothing is easy in Ulster'. A lot of games are easy in Ulster these days The gap between the two sides is huge. Donegal by as much as they want. MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13709 - 15/05/2018 14:44:37 2101005 Link 3 |
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While I think Donegal will win this game by 5-6 points, you only have to go back to Down's victory over Monaghan last year to show that Ulster is still well capable of producing a shock result.
petejoeduff (Donegal) - Posts: 329 - 15/05/2018 16:13:17 2101046 Link 0 |
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This would be an even bigger shock. Derry have lost their way. I hope it is a better game than what people are predicting. I will be going anyway.
Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 15/05/2018 16:29:44 2101050 Link 0 |
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Thankfully the hype right now is surrounding another team on the western front and be happy for it to stay that way. In fact the pre and post match coverage especially nationally has been very low key. So lets hope it stays that way.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 15/05/2018 16:58:05 2101068 Link 0 |
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Big incentive for supporters to go now with the U-20's on beforehand. I am looking forward to it anyways.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 15/05/2018 17:01:46 2101073 Link 0 |
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As for the game itself I hope nobody takes Derry lightly. Only go back to Clones in 2015 for recent evidence. Derry really put it up to the seniors that day plus their minors took the scalp of a young Donegal side who had high expectations not just in Ulster. The minor manager that day is now the senior manager and while some of the tactics on the day left a sour taste he definitely outsmarted Declan Bonner when it came to the battle of the sideline on that day. I doubt they will take an open approach to the game as if u give the Donegal forwards space they have the ability to put up really big scores. My personal believe is that Derry are a Division 2 team minimum and be pushing on upwards if they had all their players available. I definitely don't see them been in Division 4 for long that is for sure. As a result I see Derry putting in a decent showing aided by home advantage. This definitely could be a banana skin if Donegal take it lightly but on all known form they should win with a little to spare in the end. panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 15/05/2018 17:23:08 2101093 Link 1 |
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Not much being said about this game which is making me wary! Derry have nothing to lose. They're at home and are being totally written off having been relegated to Div 4. They are no way a Div 4 team, especially with the Sleachtneill men back. I would expect a tough battle for 50 odd minutes but then for Donegal to win by 4 or 5 points. Hoping so anyway! Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 22/05/2018 14:13:51 2103018 Link 0 |
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First upset of the Summer, Derry are dangerous at home . culmore (None) - Posts: 1398 - 22/05/2018 16:54:43 2103067 Link 0 |
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Who could that be Panamasam I wonder. Only hype I have noted is Monaghan's impressive victory last Sunday. As for us most of the conversation and analysis has being criticism. You have me wondering. Maybe the Rossies? On the match Derry IMO will make this very tight and could be one where Donegal just about get over the line. Rarely does a team win impressively back to back. kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1946 - 22/05/2018 19:42:18 2103104 Link 0 |
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Constructive criticism my friend and no not the Rossies as all quiet there too. As for the Derry match I expect Derry will be no pushover especially at home.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 22/05/2018 20:55:08 2103116 Link 0 |
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Funny you should say that,McErlain said to-day how they were massive underdogs in that Minor game and pulled off a big shock and that they will be approaching Sundays game with the same attitude.Hopefully lightning doesn't strike twice.
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1057 - 22/05/2018 21:07:35 2103117 Link 0 |
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Derry are a very proud football county and are hurting from the embarrassment of relegations finding them in Division 4. It's not a true reflection of the talent pool in Derry and their recent underage successes and that of Slaughtneil is more an indication of their talent. I expect a real test from Derry on Sunday in front of their home fans. Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 22/05/2018 21:36:58 2103127 Link 0 |
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Hopefully not. I rate McErlain but surprised he took the job this soon. If Derry get ahead I expect similar tactics might come into play as that day which did leave a sour taste. Saying that Donegal on the day could not have been any worse and still missed a peno at the death to win it so can only blame themselves. Actually read a question and answers piece in the Derry people done with Naoise O'Baoill who played that day where he said it was the day he would like to forget the most in terms of been a player. I know from a supporters perspective it was as frustrating a result that I can remember in recent times. That team I am sure would have put that all right this year at U-21. The display against Armagh in the previous round had everyone in the Athletic grounds buzzing and that includes the Armagh supporters. At least no Conor Glass to contend with at the weekend which is a shame for Derry football as for me that lad is a special talent. He had the potential to do for Derry football what Michael Murphy has done for Donegal without maybe having the supporting cast to go to the same heights of success.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 23/05/2018 18:02:40 2103360 Link 0 |
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I would hazard a guess that Donegal will start the same as against Cavan. Good options from the bench in MacNíalllais, O'Reilly, McGrath, M McHugh, Mulligan, S McBrearty Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 24/05/2018 11:26:37 2103504 Link 0 |
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Looks a good team. IF Paddy Mc Grath was fit, I'd start him and push Ward to half back in place of Mc Menamin. Ward would give us a serious boost from half back in an attacking sense. I can't see us playing Thompson, Mac Niallais and Langan on the same team. All three are very similar and none of the three are great at dropping back. If we come up against an attacking half back line I can see Mulligan, S Mc Brearty and O' Reilly in with a shout. Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 26/05/2018 00:51:13 2103894 Link 0 |