Derry are currently going through what can only be described as a rapid journey to their own demise, as implosions continue to go off all over the county.
First the humiliation against Donegal saw their system ripped to pieces, and then rumours about fallouts and rows from their training camp in Portugal began to spread.
Four weeks later, that distain seemed to fester in the camp, and 20 minutes into their game against Galway Gareth McKinless was sent off for stamping on Damien Comer, and things really started to unravel.
Two defeats in a row meant that they really needed to stand up against Armagh when they visited Celtic Park last week, but they instead lay down and rolled over, as the Orchard county trampled on top of them at will.
The knives were out and sharpened as the blame looked to be placed firmly on the shoulders of Mickey Harte, the Tyrone legend, who jumped over the fence to take charge of his neighbouring rivals.
Interestingly, Monaghan legend Dick Clerkin believes that the root of Derry's problems has more to do with their own legacy and culture, than anything Harte may have done.
READ HERE: Joe Brolly Claims Mickey Harte Is The "Rot In Derry's Decay" In Scathing Rant
Dick Clerkin claims Derry were always capable of imploding.
In his latest column in the Irish Independent, the Ulster-man tore into the make-up of Derry football, and made some damning claims about the team, past and present.
As long as I know it, Derry football is never too far away from implosion. In this episode of Derry 90210, the signs were there from early on in Harte’s tenure.
For all of my 17 years playing for Monaghan, Derry were opponents who were never at ease with themselves. I used to relish playing them, and getting under the brittle skin of their players and managers. Some years you felt they were just turning up to fulfil the fixtures and couldn’t wait to get back to playing with the clubs.
For the talent they had back then, that they didn’t win an Ulster title between 1998 and 2022 was an anomaly. Worse still, they only reached two finals during that time, in 2000 and 2011.
When Derry did win that Ulster title in 2022, it looked like the finally broke the bad habits of old, and we were witnessing a new era for the Oakleaf county, one of promise and prosperity.
According to Clerkin however, it is the same old story.
SEE ALSO: Lee Keegan Thinks Derry "Humiliation" Hints At Issues In Dressing Room
