Youth & Experience: The Continued Growth Of Derry GAA

After a successful League campaign, Derry are back in the NFL Division 1 for the first time since 2015. Topping the group unbeaten throughout the campaign. The Oak-Leafers just missed out on silverware as they lost out to fellow promoted side, Dublin in the NFL Division 2 Final on Sunday.

It was only two years ago that Derry were plying their trade in the third division of inter-county football. The appointment of Rory Gallagher back in 2019 & the return of Conor Glass from AFL side Hawthorn in 2020 have proved to be pivotal in the recent success.

Success was tipped to be on the cards for this squad as Gallagher is moulding a Senior panel from previous successful minor sides. Five of the panel versus Dublin are alums from Derry's 2017 All Ireland Minor Final side that were defeated to David Clifford's Kerry. 

Likewise another five came from the more recent crop of 2020 All Ireland Minor Champions, including Eoin McEvoy, Lachlan Murray, Matthew Downey & Niall O'Donnell whom all featured at the weekend.

This group of players are no strangers to winning Minor Ulster titles or MacRory Cup Finals playing on the biggest stages across the underage levels but to go & achieve success like they have at senior level has been a breath of fresh air across the county.

Derry have the footprint to bring continued success to the county, especially within the Provincial Ulster Championship.

The side have been going through a transitional period under Gallagher's stewardship. Bleeding in the young prospects as they come of age in a Derry Senior jersey whilst also using the significance of experience; with the likes of Chrissy McKaigue & Benny Heron still showing their importance to the side. 

Two league promotions in three years is an impressive feat in itself; especially for a county who were limbering in the lower divisions with no real sense of belief or unity within the county. However, going on and being crowned Ulster Champions against Donegal in Clones for the first time in 24 years was a special moment & a sign that this side are capable of continued success.

Derry have the core to their squad set for the coming years with the midfield duo of Conor Glass (25) & Brendan Rogers (29) & one of Ireland's most prolific forwards upfront with Slaughtneil's Shane McGuigan (25).

The Oak-Leaf county will be hoping for similar success this summer, as the squad's surprise success of reaching the All Ireland Semi Finals last year was something most young Derry Fans hadn't witnessed in their lifetime. 

Next up for Derry is their Quarter Final tie on Saturday, April 16th as they travel to Enniskillen to take on Fermanagh in the 2023 Ulster Championship.

A tie that initially looked to be a soft draw could now be slightly more difficult as Conor Glass & captain Chrissy McKaigue could both be injury doubts for the opener. Glass left the field injured early in the second half on Sunday's defeat to Dublin after feeling a slight twinge in his hamstring.