By Michael McMullan

DERRY manager Ciarán Meenagh insists every league outing in Division Two is a big game as they welcome his native Tyrone to Celtic Park on Saturday evening.

The Oakleafers head towards the weekend bidding for a first league win since their 2024 final drama against Dublin on penalties.

“They’re all big games,” Meenagh said in the aftermath of falling to Meath at Croke Park. “We’re playing Tyrone but then you have Kildare coming after that and different games.

“Depending on how the results go, games will become important for various reasons. They’re all big games but they’re not season defining either.”

The Derry boss admitted they had mentally put all their focus on preparing for the Meath game.

The days after were about processing defeat before getting themselves dusted down and getting back on the horse again.

A negative factor from the Meath defeat were the missed chances when they had a chance to turn the screw in the second half.

Another was the breach they were caught for that led to Matthew Costello’s two-point free and how it turned the game.

As for the positives, Meenagh pointed to getting a tough game and what it would do for his side.

“The game itself will be a positive,” he stated. “You have to realise this is still January. There will be plenty of turns and twists throughout the year so we’ve had those conversations.

“We have to stick together. We have to believe that when the tide turns it will turn quickly.

“Also, there are players with not a lot of training under their belts. They’re coming back from club action with particularly the Sleacht Néill lads and Conor Glass from injury.

“That game will stand to them, but everybody who plays these league games, the games will stand to them.

“The standard of football and everything will get better as the weather gets better and as we progress through the spring.”