By Niall Gartland

THE Derry camogs have a new manager this year – Dungiven’s Micky Henry.

In another sense, he isn’t ‘new’ at all. Henry was involved during the two years that PJ O’Mullan took the team, helping the Loughgiel man win the 2023 All-Ireland Intermediate title in a replayed final in Clones.

During their second year with the team, Derry lost the Division Two league final to Westmeath, but beat both Antrim and Limerick to retain their Senior Championship status.

O’Mullan stepped down and was replaced by Eamonn Melaugh for the 2025 season, but the vacancy re-opened and Henry has stepped into the breach.

Speaking ahead of Derry’s Division 2A opener against Carlow at Celtic Park this Saturday, Henry said: “I coached for PJ and then took a couple of u-16 teams, who went on to win All-Irelands – I’ve coached 90 per cent of the panel, or maybe more, at some level, between club and county.

“There’s a lot of new girls this year. I gave myself a big list and went through them all. The numbers weren’t great last year for whatever reason, and I wanted to give ourselves enough options to see us through the year. We lost a couple of girls through long-term injuries so it’s a good job we brought in a 32-girl panel.”

Joining Henry on the sideline are Micky Quigg (coach), Ashleen McCaul (assistant coach), Frank McEldowney (goalkeeping coach) and Sleacht Néill and Derry camogie legend Aoife Ní Chaiside, who has called an end to her intercounty career – in terms of playing, anyway. Elsewhere Swatragh’s Niamh Quinn has been appointed captain while Rachel McAllister and Aine McGill are vice-captains.

“Aoife’s gone to the dark side this year, she’s on the sideline. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve tried to get her to play, but I’m thankful she’s coming in as part of the management. She got married so couldn’t commit fully which is fair enough – she owes Derry nothing.”

Henry will hope to get his tenure off to a winning start against Carlow, but it’s no fait accompli and he believes they’ve a tough schedule of league fixtures ahead of them.

“Carlow will be no pushovers. They’re an up and coming team. Derry got out of Carlow last year by the skin of their teeth, 1-13 to 0-13, so we’re not taking them lightly.”

Looking down the line, he said: “Kerry’s going to be a tough game, they’re unpredictable. Westmeath away will be tough, they’ve beaten us well in recent games. Meath are always knocking on the door as well.

“I wouldn’t underestimate any team, put it like that. Laois are going well too, they got promoted last year and won an All-Ireland.”