By Michael McMullan

FOR the first time in 25 years, Newbridge stepped into a new season to defend the John McLaughlin Cup after their magical 2024 journey.

This year’s Derry’s format will be different. They’ve waved goodbye to the group format in favour of a return to the backdoor with the draw coming in the coming weeks.

The ‘Bridge are top of the table and face Glen this weekend in a repeat of last year’s county final.

Selector Paddy Gribbin coached many of the squad at underage level and had a stint looking after the reserves. He knows the squad inside out.

“They’re a great bunch of lads and they were very quick to want to get back at it again,” he said of the return to pre-season.

“They look after themselves very well generally. The fact that we were county champions didn’t really change that thankfully.”

Derry All-Ireland minor winning duo Eamon Young and Cathair McBride are among the younger players coming into the squad.

Before a ball was kicked this season, Newbridge were without up to 11 of the starting championship team from last season. Odhrán McGlone has gone travelling. Goalkeeper James Gribbin is on his way back from injury.

Between u-20s and seniors, Newbridge has eight players on county duty with Conor Doherty and Paudi McGrogan preparing for Derry’s showdown with Dublin, the latter having missed last season’s club success with injury.

“There are younger fellas that have been there for a couple of years and they’re starting to mature and come through,” Gribbin said of a squad that have also helped them to top of the reserve league. It’s given them a real good buzz and we’ve good numbers for once in a long, long time which has definitely helped as well.

“It’s been lovely to go in and know that you’re county champions without really having to think about it.”

Of the u-16 team Gribbin looked after during the 2020 Covid season, they are virtually all still playing senior or reserve football.

“That’s been a massive help to be able to hold on to them,” Gribbin said. “They’re a real good, tight-knit bunch of fellas who just want to play and want to be together.

“We’ve got good coaching at underage. It’s about performing and preparing more than winning. It’s getting them ready to come into a senior set-up and want to be in a senior set-up. That’s the way they are.”

On top of that, with leaders like Conor Doherty and Paudi McGrogan away on Derry duty, there is a core of players still steering the ship. Championship winning hero Ciaran Brooks, Peter McGrogan, Ciaran Devlin and Nathan Rocks.

There were no retirements since last year with a few who had briefly stepped away coming back to be part of what’s growing. And with so many players away early in the year, everybody had a part to play.

“Those (Derry) u-20s have filtered back in again and have pushed it on again,” Gribbin added. “It’s worked out really well for us but it’s down a lot to the numbers and the attitude of the players that it’s worked out really well. “