Improving Standards

On Saturday 5th February, Roe Valley Sports Department in conjunction with the Gaelic Games Development officer Richard Ferris,had its first squad session in Drumsurn GAC 20 players from the clubs in the borough attended a good start. The squad will have coaching sessions, strength & conditioning sessions, information on lifestyle management and will compete in games against Club Derry Development Squads (U16 & U17s) etc. The next session will be a Strength and Conditioning session in Saint Matthew's GAC Drumsurn at 10am on Saturday the 12th of February. This Squad is still open to other players to join.

Derry Retain the Buncrana Cup For First Time in Competition's History

The Derry u16 Buncranna cup winning team were presented with their jerseys and medals on Thursday 28th October at a presentation in the Oakleaf restaurant. This team made history in Derry by winning the cup two years in a row. Thanks to Dessie Loughery for the photo

Derry Retain the Buncrana Cup For First Time in Competition's History

Was this the day Derry's young players made a state-ment of their intent? Only time will answer that question. However, from the moment Limavady's Dessie Loughrey finished a rebound to the net to repel Donegal's final assault, this Derry squad had one hand on the Buncrana Cup. Ten minutes later it was two.

If it's true that adversity can either make or break a team, then the fact that when facing a highly rated Donegal outfit Derry had a host of injuries and omissions, as well as being without both midfielders from the semi-final, speaks volumes for the character and fighting spirit of this group of players.

Having qualified for the final stages with victories over Fermanagh and Armagh, Derry faced a tough Monaghan team at Muff GAC. After a bright opening Derry took an early lead. Indeed, had the finishing in front of goal been more clinical, this game could have been over midway through the first half. With the Farney starting to gain a stronghold around the middle, Derry were rocked back by a Mona-ghan goal to leave only two points between the sides at the break.

After trading early scores in the second half and with some changes in personnel, Derry took a vice-like grip of this game thanks to the dominance of midfielders McAtamney and Gorman. With McNicholl and Moore accurate up front, the key moment of the game came after a surging run by Loughrey down the right hand side. The Limavady man centred to Claudys Blaine Carlin who was fouled whilst rounding the Monaghan goal-keeper. The resultant penalty kick was clinically dispatched by Conor McAtamney to give Derry the cushion they needed. The game ended Derry 1-13 Monaghan 1-5.

The win was not without a downside however as Derry‟s penalty taker suffered concus-sion ruling him out of the final against Donegal in Buncrana. Further injuries and fatigue due to a hard week of club action meant Derry‟s management team now had to earn their corn.

The team was drastically changed for the final drawing upon the entire resources of the squad. With Conor Murphy moved to midfield (where his father Plunkett led Derry to Anglo-Celt glory in 87) and partnered by centre half forward Gerard Bradley, Derry began the final in bright fashion.

McNicholl and Moore gave an exhibition of long range point taking seemingly hitting the target with every effort. Left and right hand side - same result. At the other end Donegal were also beginning to punch holes in the Derry rearguard. Like the semi final Derry were again hit with a three-pointer which threatened to unbalance their challenge. Despite scoring 0-11 in the first half with a very credible ten points from play, Derry only led by four at half time (0-11 to 1-4).

Further blows were dealt to the squad by the loss of Ryan McDonald and Padraig Cassidy

in the first half. With a strong breeze in their backs for the second half Donegal now had every right to feel confident.

Tactically Derry played possession football in the second period, pinning Donegal in their own half for long periods. Direct running drew frees which were duly converted to keep the scoreboard ticking over. As expected, Donegal got their purple patch midway through the half reducing the deficit to three.

However, Derry dug deep and a 40 yard burst by Darryl Mullan resulted in a saved effort from Neil McNicholl. The keeper could only partially save, and an onrushing Dessie Loughrey finished the ball to the net to stretch the margin to six and effectively finish the game. A battling and gutsy last ten minutes meant Derry would retain the Buncrana Cup for the first time in their history with the trophy handed over to the two Conors (McAtamney and Carville) by Ulster GAA President Aogan Farrell.

If there was ever a victory for an entire squad of players, this was it. This was a victory for heart and determination as much as skill and ability. Long may it continue!

Well done to all the players and the development squad coaches who worked with the players not only this year but last year too!

Club Derry Under 17's Show Grit

Today the Club Derry Under 17's took part in their first Ulster blitz of the season. Derry were pitted against Down and Donegal in the blitz that took part in Ballymaguigan.

This was one of three blitz's that took place today. The top teams all qualify for for a final blitz on the 11th September. The second place teams come together to take part in the plate and the third place teams in a shield.

In the first game of the day Down beat Donegal with a few points to spare.

Derry then played Donegal at the 1.30pm throw in. The Derry team that started the Donegal game was as follows:

1. Niall Callan - Doire Trasna

2. Damian Barr - Slaughtmanus

3. Paul O'Kane - Magherafelt

4. Kieran McIntyre - Glack

5. Chrissy Henry - Ballymaguigan

6. Ferghal Shivers - Newbridge

7. Michael Kerr - Magherafelt

8. Ruairi Leonard - Coleraine

9. Conor Rafferty - Magherafelt

10. Adrian Trainor - Desertmartin

11. Stephen Lagan - Magherafelt

12. Eoghan Dooher - Ardmore

13. Antone McElhone - Magherafelt

14. Martin Downey - Ballymaguigan

15. Anthony O'Neill - Loup

Derry got off to a shaky start and found themselves 4 points down at half time, however after the lads regroup at the interval they got a grip on the game and didn't let it slip. Derry ran out winners 2-10 to Donegal's 3-05

The second game against Down came very quick after the first 50 minutes and it would be fair to say that the Derry players felt the effects.

The starting team vs Down was:

1. Niall Callan - Doire Trasna

2. Damian Barr - Slaughtmanus

3. Paul O'Kane - Magherafelt

4. Kieran McIntyre - Glack

5. Chrissy Henry - Ballymaguigan

6. Michael Warnock - Glen

7. Michael Kerr - Magherafelt

8. Ruairi Leonard - Coleraine

9. Conor Rafferty - Magherafelt

10. Anthony O'Neill - Loup

11. Martin Downey - Ballymaguigan

12. Ferghal Shivers - Newbridge

13. Antone McElhone - Magherafelt

14. Stephen Lagan - Magherafelt

15. Dermot McWilliams - Kilrea

Derry gifted Down an early goal and it took them 15 minutes of the first have to get the ball out of their own half, it was a terrible start that found Derry 7 points down at the interval. Much of the same for this half time talk again and needless to say the Derry players responded excellently, they gradually got back into the game and had Down hanging on. Derry ran out 1 point winners on a scoreline of 2-11 to 3-07.

We were missing a lot of players today for numerous reasons but the 17 players we had showed unbelievable fighting spirit. A special mention must got to Niall Callan who gratefully step in between the sticks as our two Goal keepers were both out injured.

Club Derry Football Development Squad Trials

On Saturday morning and Monday evening the Club Derry Under 15 and Under 16 Football trials for 2010's panels got under way. 140 players trialed on Saturday for the Under 15 panel and 79 players were in Owenbeg on Monday evening to trial for the Under 16 panel.

Both sets of players will be back in Owenbeg on Saturday for their second trial. Thanks to everyone for taking part and to the parents and club officials for transporting the players up.

Club Derry Under 16 Football Development Squad win Buncrana Cup

On Saturday the Club Derry Under 16 Football development squad won the Buncrana cup for only the second time in the competitions ten year history.

At 11.30am they competed against Monaghan in Naomh Padraig, Muff. The Derry team that started was: Ciaron McLarnon, Odhran Glass, Martin Bradley, Gavin Tallon, Fergal Duffin, Ruairi Moore, Michael Warnock, Nathan Rocks, Conor McAtamney, Anthony O’Neill, Emmett Bradley, Adrian Trainor, Cathair Friel, Shane Farren and Niall Higgins.

The game was played in perfect conditions, however it was Derry who got off to the better start scoring 1-03 in 10 minutes before Monaghan could get on the score sheet, but the stem of attack continued from the men in red with Adrian Trainor scoring Derry’s second goal after 11 minutes to put the Oak leaf men 2-06 to 0-01 up. Both teams then exchanged three points apiece to leave the score at half time Derry 2-06 to 0-04.

The second half was a much cagier contest Monaghan got the opening point to make it 2-06 to 0-05 but that was as close as they came Derry closed the half with a goal and a point to Monaghan’s two points to win the semi final 3-07 to 0-08.
Derry Scorers were Cathair Friel 1-01, Shane Farren 1-01, Adrian Trainor 1-00, Fergal Duffin 0-02, Anthony O’Neill 0-01, Niall Higgins 0-01 and Nathan Rocks 0-01


Tyrone took on Armagh in the other semi final at Burt with Tyrone coming out on top on a score line of 3-11 to 2-10


So it was a Derry vs Tyrone Final at Buncrana. Derry only had one change in the final with Glen’s Conor Carville coming in for clubman Odhran Glass. The game began and straight from the throw in Derry started on the attack with Shane Farren and Michael Warnock scoring points in the two minutes. Tyrone however weren’t going to let Derry have it their own way and after 7 minutes they scored a goal from a high ball into the square which wasn’t dealt with. Derry scored three unanswered points to settle the nerves however Tyrone struck again with a goal after 14 minutes to go 0-05 to 2-01 up. This was a crucial stage of the game however credit to the Derry players they dug deep and scored 2-04 to Tyrone’s 3 points in the final 11 minutes to half time leaving Derry in the lead at the interval 1-09 to 2-04.



The opening two minutes of the second half saw Derry and Tyrone exchanging a point each, although from then on Derry took control and never looked back in what was an excellent final. Derry ran out eventual winners 1-20 to 2-07.
Derry Scorers were Niall Higgins 1-01, Shane Farren 0-04, Cathair Friel 0-04, Emmett Bradley 0-03, Adrian Trainor 0-02, Nathan Rocks 0-02, Ruairi Moore 0-01 , Michael Warnock 0-01, Fergal Duffin 0-01 and Neil McNicholl 0-01


The squad of players who won the Buncrana Cup 2009 were: Ardmore: Eoghan Dooher; Ballymaguigan: Christopher Henry; Banagher: Shane Farren; Claudy: Niall O’Kane; Craigbane: Ruairi Moore; Desertmartin: Adrian Trainor, Martin Breen; Drumsurn: Cathair Friel; Dungiven: Brian Óg McGilligan, Sean McNicholl; Glack: Kieran McIntyre; Glen: Michael Warnock, Emmett Bradley, Odhran Glass, Gavin Tallon, Connor Carville; Glenullin: Neil McNicholl; Kilrea: Jack Kielt, Dermot Morrow, Dermot McWilliams, Joe Morgan; Loup: Caolin McGinley, Thomas McVey, Anthony O’Neill; Magherafelt: Fergal Duffin, Antone McElhone, Niall Higgins; Newbridge: Nathan Rocks, Ciaron McLarnon; Slaughtmanus: Damian Barr; Slaughtneil: Pearse McGrath; Swatragh: Connor McAtamney, James Kearney; Steelstown: Brian Scallon
Coaches: Karl Conlan, Martin McWilliams, Martin Boyle and Jason Muldoon Medical Assistance: Conan Loughrey and Mary Gormley

Good luck to all the Kilrea and Dungiven lads who couldn’t represent their County on Saturday, best of luck in the minor final in Celtic Park on Sunday!

Club Derry Under 17 Football Development Squad

On Saturday 8th August in Owenbeg Dungiven it was the turn of the U-17 Development Squads to take part in a Blitz organised by the Ulster Council.
With the exception of Armagh and Monaghan all other 7 Counties took part in the Blitz which meant every County had an opportunity to play each other.
After a great days football, Cavan (won 4 drew 2) and Fermanagh (won 5 lost 1) would have to be very pleased with their performances in which all 7 Counties expressed that the day was very worth-while.

Derry were missing a few players due to club championship commitments but this year has been very good for the players who have certainly improved thanks to the hard work of their coaches namely Paul Simpson, Richard Ferris and Declan Toner. Thanks lads for all your efforts!