Replying To Lockjaw:  "A routine win for Donegal really. Derry battled hard but you always got the sense Donegal had another gear to move up into if they had to.

Paddy kicked some big points and it was great to see young Mulligan bag another goal when introduced. He is brilliant at sniffing out goal scoring opportunities and lethal at dispatching them. It was another peach of a finish today.

On the negative side of things we have away far too many scoreable frees to Derry so we'll need to tighten up there. But all in all moving well and notching big scores. Tougher tests lie ahead but the signs are promising.

Those who attended the earlier match were treated to a playmaking masterclass from Niall O'Donnell. 1-12 he scored today. A brilliant prospect!"

Replying To oakleafersir:  "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!!!"