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Said this ages ago - was clear as day that we were short a couple of defenders and that we had a surplus of quality players in attack. Management should have earmarked at least one of them to convert into defence. Too late for this season but could see it happening next season. Anyway, I'm getting slightly more confident the closer we get to next Saturday. Derry have been on a downward curve for the last 2 years whereas we've been on an upward curve (albeit with some recent blips). Would be very confident if it was in Croke Park and it's a hard place to go but I think we'll bring the intensity this time and we'll get over the line. I just can't imagine this group going out with a whimper after all they have achieved in the last 18 months.
gwanyagudthing (Meath) - Posts: 179 - 05/06/2026 22:50:50 2678255 Link 0 |
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That's the fear that we have, that after all the progress we've made over the last year and we could go 0 from 3 in the Championship and be done. It would be so disappointing. If you want to look at this without green tinted glasses, home advantage will be worth a few points to Derry, -1 is the spread but honestly would have it at -3 and we'll basically start 3 points down in my eyes. But if you want to look at it another way, we'll find out if we have actually made real progress or not. This will be a real test of mental strength as much as anything and the lads will have to dig deep, that's the message I'm sure Robbie is telling them. It's going to be tough but you have to believe based on what we've done in the last 18 months.
NYRoyal (USA) - Posts: 148 - 06/06/2026 11:45:11 2678288 Link 0 |
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We need natural defenders, lads who do this week in, week out. There are plenty of them around the county, but management seem stuck in a rut. What we're crying out for are a few proper man-markers, fellas who'll stick to their man like glue and make him earn every ball. I saw one of the best examples of it in last year's Intermediate Championship , St. Pat's young fella even had his nose broken in the final against Castletown the week before defending the ball. He stayed touch-tight to his man all day, ran like a hare when he got the chance to get forward, and was back defending again like a bat out of hell. You wouldn't need a player like that every match, but when you're up against a danger man, these are the lads who can put a game to bed early by taking the opponent completely out of it no matter what. The notion of covert someone into defence is madness when you have plenty of natural ability under your nose. Holymoly#6 (Meath) - Posts: 55 - 06/06/2026 17:45:35 2678343 Link 0 |
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Anyone heading up and staying over?, recommend any pubs/hotels to frequent? AthboyCelt (Meath) - Posts: 154 - 06/06/2026 20:49:43 2678375 Link 0 |