Derry GG News

About time a thread about the Oak Leafers was opened, even though I'll likely be the only one posting here!!!

Muldoon Retires

Enda Muldoon has brought the curtain down on his 15-year Derry football career.

News of the 34-year-old Ballinderry clubman's retirement comes as a huge blow to the Oak Leafers who are battling to avoid relegation from Division 2 of the Allianz Football League. The towering 2004 All Star, who was equally effective in midfield or attack, didn't travel to Newbridge for Derry's defeat to Kildare last Sunday and insists he won't be changing his mind.

"I always said when I finished that would be it and there would be no going back," he said in the Irish Daily Star.

"That door has closed. I'm not going to retire one week and come back the next week. There will be a void in my life, but I'm just going to have to get something else to take over that void.

"I don't know what. I'm going to have to start playing golf or something. I played darts. Maybe I'll take that up again. Ballinderry will give me something to do."

Regarded as one of the most skilful and stylish footballers Derry has ever produced, Muldoon first came to prominence as a member of the Oak Leaf minor team that lost the 1995 All-Ireland final to Westmeath. He won an All-Ireland U21 medal two years later, however, and collected an Ulster SFC medal in 1998. He also won National League honours in 2000 and 2008, but his proudest moment was captaining Ballinderry to All-Ireland club glory in 2002.

The GAA coaching officer's biggest regret in football was the agonising 2001 All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway.

"Every county player sets out to win an All-Ireland, but not everybody gets that or achieves that. Only certain people are going to do it," he said.

"We were five up with 15 minutes to go against Galway. I thought that was our big chance to win an All-Ireland. You can sit back and say we could have won that, but I was there 15 years and I enjoyed every minute of it.

"We mightn't have got everything we wanted, but I made a lot of friends out of it."

Not everyones idea of a great player but i was always a fan. One of the best i have ever played against, many a time i got a roasting from him on the pitch!

Brennan Future in Doubt (from County Derry Post)

Derry manager John Brennan admits that he may not stay on in the role for another year.

Brennan will see out the remainder of the campaign with the Ulster side, but stressed to the County Derry Post that he didn't know if he was interested in going on any longer.

Derry's heavy defeat to Donegal last weekend was a huge setback for the Oak Leaf County and now they face a tricky tie away to Longford in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

Asked if he was interested in staying beyond his two-year term, Brennan said: "I don't know, I thought I was on the right track to be honest and that is the most disappointing aspect of it.

"There is a group of players there introduced from the under-21s and there are still players there from the last nine or ten years, but if you take out Chrissy McKeigue, our full back line, Barry McGoldrick, Mark Lynch three or four others out of that, we didn't feature."

Why can't we just get the game against Longford out of the way without this old nonsense rearing it's head!

It's a bit of a nothing story, BE. It is just saying what is reality - unless Derry can make the quarter finals via the qualifiers, Brennan won't be around next year. He knows it himself, and while another manager may have avoided the question, Brennan's honesty (in stating the obvious) has given the journalist a headline.

And, while I'm on this previously-overlooked thread, I'll throw in a belated vote of a approval to your comments on Enda Muldoon. He was a very talented footballer, blessed with great hands, fielding ability and skill. Joe Brolly once described him as 'Maurice Fitzgerald without the suntan', and he was only exaggerating very slightly.

A gifted player that I always loved watching, and just a pity that he never got to play for his beloved Tyrone!

There were some choice words from a few Derry supporters in this weeks "off the fence" piece in todays Irish news with the headline "RIP DERRY FOOTBALL - 1888 -2012 - passed away on a wet saturday in Ballybofey. Will be sadly missed by all except the hurlers."

Scanning through ther comments the main themes were the lack of success on the field of late with no Ulster title in 14 years, No minor title in 10 years, No U21 title in 15 years and no MacRory cup in 10 years - RIP Derry football. Other comments slated the county board for the Vanity projects such as Owenbeg and Celtic park whilst neglecting coaching within the county.

Having read through the various rants from disgruntled oak leafers I felt that Derryman and sports journalist Paddy Heaney did sum up very well by comparing the drubbing Donegal got in Crossmaglen in 2010, they then went on to win the Ulster championship in 2011. He said that Donegal have a habit of leading Derry to the well, they did it in 1992 and he feels there is no reason that history cant repeat itself.

I feel that Derry have fallen behind the top teams and have a way to go to be a force to be reckoned with again but with the likes of the forementioned Enda Muldoon employed to coach the youth footballers in the county there is always hope that the fortunes of Derry will change in the future. Personally I feel sorry for John Brennan as he lives and breathes championship football and to go down as timid as his team did will have really hurt the man. Longford could quite possibly put an end to Derry's season next day out which will no doubt cause more rumblings.

All I'll say is that I grew up watching and admiring many Derry minor teams competing in the latter stages of the championship as well as St Pats Maghera teams dominating schools football, Maybe it is no coincidence that the lack of success at schools and minor level has replicated the fortunes of the Derry senior team who appear to have been in freefall since winning the NFL in 2008.

Some good points mugsy, really good post.

I can't understand people slating the county board over Owenbeg, or Celtic Park really, i put that down to lazy analysis of the situation as a whole. Owenbeg is needed in my eyes and a wonderful facility, it will be brilliant when it is completely signed off. That is a personal view that i don't expect everyone to share though but here's a video of what it will be like when finished -



When people say that coaching has been neglected in the county, i wonder just how much the know about the coaching set up in Derry. We now have more coaches in place in football & hurling than ever before, more than when we were winning things at youth level! Granted we haven't seen much success from this yet, but they are doig some great work on the ground. My only thing would be to get rid of the Development Squads from 15-17, these should be from 17-20 in my view.

I agree with you when you said "Derry have fallen behind the top teams and have a way to go to be a force to be reckoned with again", it will take time and last weekend should be the wake up call needed to focus, like Tyrone did, on bringing through talented youth teams. Put the effort into that, the seniors will take care of themselves.

I've said many times, JB is the best man for the job at the wrong time, end off!

Schools football at St. Pats has been hit for a few reasons, mainly changes at the top of the school who, rightly, put the focus on academic subjects rather than sport like when i was there. Gone are the days of keeping talented footballers at the school who lack academic prowess. I remember hearing a story about big Geoff in 6th form, he was stopped by a sub teacher in the corridor during lessons and asked why he wasn't in class, he replied "I'm only here to play football". I did ask him if that were true once and he didn't deny it!

Another thing that hit St Pats was when St Pius X in Magherafelt started opened a 6th form when they previously only went up to 5th year, all the talented players from there transfered to St Pats to do A Levels etc, now they don't!

I'm interested to see what the future holds for us, but i'll stop short of slagging the county boards off for being progressive, i think they are doing a decent job and certainly better than previous boards. I will stop short of slagging off the manager too for reasons mentioned before, but we really need to start blooding someone in readiness for the job when JB decides to leave.

Excellent appointment made by the Derry CB (not before taking a pop at local paper the County Derry Post) when the appointed former Donegal NFL winning manager Brian McIver who also guided Ballinderry Shamrocks to the All Ireland Club in 2002.

Brian is joined by a high profile backrom team that includes former Derry manager Paddy Crozier, Paddy Tally, Anton Moran (son of Mickey) and Bernie Henry who was a selecter when Derry won the minor All Ireland in 2002.

It take's some balls for a man to come back in a backroom role so fair play Paddy Crozier, Derry to the core!

Good luck to the new management team for their tenure, i am excited by this management team and take my hat off to the CB for their appointment.

Paddy Bradley's cruciate gone again. Bad news for Paddy coming so soon after the last one. We're unlikely to see him again.

Boxtyeater wrote:Paddy Bradley's cruciate gone again. Bad news for Paddy coming so soon after the last one. We're unlikely to see him again.

Wouldn't have a lot of time for the man but that's an awful bad luck, once is enough for any man but twice on different knees is rotten luck.

Like Boxty I doubt if we will see him in a Derry jersey again, something Brian McIver and half of Derry may be glad off!!!

Biggest problem is he knows exactly whats ahead of him as far as recuperation is concerned

bocerty wrote:
Like Boxty I doubt if we will see him in a Derry jersey again, something Brian McIver and half of Derry may be glad off!!!

I know what you are saying Boc, but it could be sometime before they find another as good as him. Paddy was a very good footballer. Flakey, yes, but he scored heavily for a decade. In my opinion, Derry are facing a long period in the footballing wilderness (even worse than the noughties), and some of those glad to see the back of Paddy could end up wishing for someone just like him to come along again.

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:
Like Boxty I doubt if we will see him in a Derry jersey again, something Brian McIver and half of Derry may be glad off!!!

I know what you are saying Boc, but it could be sometime before they find another as good as him. Paddy was a very good footballer. Flakey, yes, but he scored heavily for a decade. In my opinion, Derry are facing a long period in the footballing wilderness (even worse than the noughties), and some of those glad to see the back of Paddy could end up wishing for someone just like him to come along again.

A brilliant forward TC I wouldn't even try to argue otherwise, but the Derry lads I know (and BE will possibly confirm this)say he had a very disruptive influence on Derry squads for the vast majority of his career. Now he wasn't alone don't get me wrong but many will be glad to see the back of him.

Oh I know they will Boc, but he is the best forward they produced in a couple of generations, and they will need players like that for what lies ahead.

Brian McIvor is a good manager, but I really do think that Derry are facing 5-6 years near the bottom of the pile in Ulster. Donegal are on a high, Tyrone will be very strong again soon, Armagh and Down are big counties with some decent underage success in recent years, and Cavan have won back-to-back U21 titles. Derry are in division 3, wrecked with infighting and no longer have the constant stream of good colleges players. They are in a real mess.

Thomas Clarke wrote:Oh I know they will Boc, but he is the best forward they produced in a couple of generations, and they will need players like that for what lies ahead.

Brian McIvor is a good manager, but I really do think that Derry are facing 5-6 years near the bottom of the pile in Ulster. Donegal are on a high, Tyrone will be very strong again soon, Armagh and Down are big counties with some decent underage success in recent years, and Cavan have won back-to-back U21 titles. Derry are in division 3, wrecked with infighting and no longer have the constant stream of good colleges players. They are in a real mess.

sometimes its easier to create a 'team' when there are no egos in the dressing room. Others will now have to take responsibility on the field as far as scoring is concerned. Bradley was always the go to man and when he didn't play well or had his influence nullified Derry usually didn't fair too good.

I agree to an extent Boc, but I'd rather a lad with ability and an ego, than one with no ability and no ego.

I look at Colm McFadden this year, and think that he is a wonderful example of what can be done when someone is properly motivated. McFadden was always talented, but never fit and never displayed much grit. Now he is staring down Footballer of the Year.

Most talented lads can be harnessed in the right set up, but all the will in the world won't turn an eager but limited lad into a top level intercounty forward.

Thomas Clarke wrote:I agree to an extent Boc, but I'd rather a lad with ability and an ego, than one with no ability and no ego.

I look at Colm McFadden this year, and think that he is a wonderful example of what can be done when someone is properly motivated. McFadden was always talented, but never fit and never displayed much grit. Now he is staring down Footballer of the Year.

Most talented lads can be harnessed in the right set up, but all the will in the world won't turn an eager but limited lad into a top level intercounty forward.

i agree with what you say about McFadden but he wasnt running about acting the bollox the whole time and pissing people off. Many said he was a limited footballer who was only used to heavy winter/spring ground.

Some decent managers have tried working with Bradley but got nowhere with him, including John Brennan who wasnt one for taking any crap.

Hard to know what direction Derry will go, only time will tell

This is certainly bad news for Paddy Bradley having worked so hard to make his return to county football last year. I did think he struggled to make any sort of influence against Donegal in the championship but He wasn't the only player to not get his way against the Tir Connail men this year, Whilst his best years are behind him he would have been a good asset to have in reserve for his footballing abilities even though he probably wasn't the most popular person amongst county board reps in Derry due to his outspoken comments following Derrys early exit from the championship.

Derry still has in my opinion the most competitive club championship in Ulster, the challenge is for Tyrone man Brian McIvor to channel this energy into the county setup, They certainly have the quality to gain promotion from Division 3 and build for the future and I as a concerned neighbour strangely take no real joy in Derry's current low position and would prefer the ding dust rivalry that existed in the early-mid 90's.

Rumours circulating today that Eoin Bradley has switched clubs going from Glenullin to neighbouring Kilrea where the Kielts play their club football. Brother Paddy isn't too impressed either by all accounts.

That's where they grew up mugsy, their sister played camogie for Kilrea for years. Still a bit of a surprise if he were to transfer though!

bald eagle wrote:That's where they grew up mugsy, their sister played camogie for Kilrea for years. Still a bit of a surprise if he were to transfer though!

did Bakers father not play for Kilrea (Eoin and Paddys grandad) something happened and he wouldnt let Baker or the rest of the sons play for Kilrea? Deep seated hatred of some sort so would be surprised to hear that either of them has joined Kilrea!!!!

Good wishes to Anthony Tohill after his recent accident. Get well soon Anthony.

Those oul' chain-saws out of Aldi are fairly harmless in all fairness....

Boxtyeater wrote:Good wishes to Anthony Tohill after his recent accident. Get well soon Anthony.

Those oul' chain-saws out of Aldi are fairly harmless in all fairness....

Amen to that. Lucky not to have any permanent damage.

Derry suffered a bit of a collapse in the second half today. Not the first time Derry's mental fragility has been brought into question.

A five point lead at home in Celtic Park against a team who lost 5 of their 7 league games, it's a game I would have expected Derry close out. In the eyes of the public at least, I would say Brian McIvor is back where he was at the start of the year, hard to quantify the progress Derry have made so far in 2013.

Third time in four years they've failed to win a game in the Ulster championship.

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Derry suffered a bit of a collapse in the second half today. Not the first time Derry's mental fragility has been brought into question.

A five point lead at home in Celtic Park against a team who lost 5 of their 7 league games, it's a game I would have expected Derry close out. In the eyes of the public at least, I would say Brian McIvor is back where he was at the start of the year, hard to quantify the progress Derry have made so far in 2013.

Third time in four years they've failed to win a game in the Ulster championship.

In a match-up between 2 undersized teams, the only thing surprising about this game was that it took Down so long to gain control. McCartan was negligent in not double-marking Eoin Bradley in the 1st half, as he was the only threat that Derry had. The sweeper was never close enough, and Benny McArdle was hung out to dry. Once their midfield workers tired, Derry's race had been run, though, and it was one way traffic in the 2nd half.

Derry have improved under McIvor, in so far as he has organised them and sorted out the infighting. However, they still have a pretty sparse sprinkling of talent in the squad and, considering they'll be in division 1 next year, today's defeat is likely to be the first of many they experience over the next 12 months.

Down are struggling with injuries and, at full strength, are in the top 8-10 sides in Ireland. That said, a cavern separates them and Dublin/Donegal. As an aside, I wonder when James will be brave enough to drop Benny Coulter, and smart enough to push Conor Laverty back into the full forward line.

Thomas Clarke wrote:

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Derry suffered a bit of a collapse in the second half today. Not the first time Derry's mental fragility has been brought into question.

A five point lead at home in Celtic Park against a team who lost 5 of their 7 league games, it's a game I would have expected Derry close out. In the eyes of the public at least, I would say Brian McIvor is back where he was at the start of the year, hard to quantify the progress Derry have made so far in 2013.

Third time in four years they've failed to win a game in the Ulster championship.

In a match-up between 2 undersized teams, the only thing surprising about this game was that it took Down so long to gain control. McCartan was negligent in not double-marking Eoin Bradley in the 1st half, as he was the only threat that Derry had. The sweeper was never close enough, and Benny McArdle was hung out to dry. Once their midfield workers tired, Derry's race had been run, though, and it was one way traffic in the 2nd half.

Derry have improved under McIvor, in so far as he has organised them and sorted out the infighting. However, they still have a pretty sparse sprinkling of talent in the squad and, considering they'll be in division 1 next year, today's defeat is likely to be the first of many they experience over the next 12 months.

Down are struggling with injuries and, at full strength, are in the top 8-10 sides in Ireland. That said, a cavern separates them and Dublin/Donegal. As an aside, I wonder when James will be brave enough to drop Benny Coulter, and smart enough to push Conor Laverty back into the full forward line.

credit must go to Bradley at times he was being double marked but was still winning ball. His missed goal opportunity was a big turning point, a 7 point lead may have been enough to see them through the second half. Why did he hit it at a height that the keeper could deal with easily. It was a decent save but Bradley made it easy for him, a guy that height would never have got one low along the ground.

A very enjoyable game but alot of open almost naive football. Hard to believe either side would use the same approach going into a game with Donegal.