By Michael McMullan

DERRY selector Chrissy McKaigue says beating Cork is a necessity in Sunday’s top-of-the-table Division Two clash.

Having already lost to Meath, the Oakleafers must continue their winning form as they target promotion with the Royals now having the ‘head-to-head’ advantage should it come into consideration.

McKaigue played for Derry in 2022 when 11 points wasn’t enough to secure promotion with an away draw against Roscommon costing them.

Within minutes of easily accounting for Offaly last weekend, the Derry focus turned to Cork.

Lachlan Murray wasn’t risked, while Gareth McKinless, Conor Doherty and Brendan Rogers were all replaced well before the final whistle.

“The most important thing tonight was two points,” McKaigue stressed.

“We talked all week about how much we battled against Tyrone and Kildare and that it was important tonight that we battled just as hard.”

“Every game is so important,” McKaigue added. “We are now on six points but there’s a massive game coming down the road.

“It’s Cork and we’re starting to prepare now for that game because it’s going to be another huge challenge.”

McKaigue was proud of how Derry dealt with adversity in their win against Kildare. On the flip side, the disappointing factor in the Meath defeat was being “found wanting” in the battles.

“You would have to say, in the Tyrone and Kildare games we were combative,” he added. “We were good in the moments that required grit.”

There was satisfaction in getting on with the less glamorous aspects of their game. Grafting and digging deep.

“We’re still missing Dan Higgins and Eoin McEvoy for height which is a big thing,” he added.

“We need to try and get them boys back on the pitch as soon as possible. Lachlan Murray could probably have played tonight (against Offaly) but it was just maybe a better move to keep him out. He’ll definitely play against Cork, we hope.

“The performance in many aspects was very, very promising but we’ll need the same and more next week because two points next week against Cork is just a necessity.”

While consistency is a key factor in any promotion bid, McKaigue digs deeper into what exactly Derry’s mantra is.

“You’re not going to get consistency in terms of the perfect skills in winter football,” he said.

“Certainly, consistency and attitude and endeavour and work rate, which we feel that we have got in bucket loads since the Meath game,” he pointed out of Derry’s focus.

“That’s not to say that it was all bad against Meath because it wasn’t, but we lost too many of the key physical battles against Meath.

“Hopefully we’ve learnt from it but my God there’s some tests coming down the stretch in Cork in terms of matching their physicality and their athleticism so we would need to be prepared for it.”