DERRY’S midfield pairing of Conor Glass and Brendan Rogers “have everything you want around the middle of the field” says former Mayo star Seamie O’Shea.

O’Shea lined out around the middle throughout his playing days, never came up against Glass or Rogers. Looking on at the minute however, he picks them out as one of the best midfield pairings around.

“They’re really good, I’m not sure I ever went up against them,” said the Breaffy clubman, older brother of current Mayo forward Aidan O’Shea. “I know we played Derry in the qualifiers a number of years ago, I’m not sure if I was playing against them at that stage.

“They’re a really good midfield pairing, and they can do a bit of everything. They have scores in them, they’re mobile, they can win ball around the middle of the field, they’re honest and they can track and tackle and all that sort of stuff.

“They have everything you want around the middle of the field, and they’ll be a good match up for anybody, whether it’s (Brian) Fenton and (James) McCarthy or any of the other midfield pairings across the country.”

O’Shea picked Glass out for particular credit, along with full forward Shane McGuigan, for the leadership they displayed in last Sunday’s Ulster final win over Armagh.

Two points down in extra time, Derry’s grip on the Anglo Celt looked to have been slipping away, but Glass and McGuigan delivered when the moment called for it.

The pair also converted their spot kicks in the penalty shootout that saw Derry complete the two in a row for the first time since 1975 and 1976.

“He (McGuigan) was outstanding, and he kept them in it at the weekend, himself and Glass, they’re brilliant footballers and they look really good at the moment.

“I think this is their second year at it now as well so sometimes the first your you kind of make a bit of a breakthrough, maybe that confidence isn’t quite there to be able to push on.

“And I know they lost the league final this year to Dublin as well but the more often they’re winning those big games the more they’ll realise that they’re right there and that they’re more than capable of winning an All-Ireland.

“Those two guys (McGuigan and Glass) are massive driving forces for them and both of them were outstanding again last weekend. They’re serious footballers.”