EXPECT to see a different type of performance from Ciaran McFaul in the 2021 intercounty season, whenever it happens to start.

The Derry attacker is currently in lockdown, training on his own, working on the plan that has been set out for him by the Oak Leaf management team.

The preparations for this season are very different to every other year previous, and so too will McFaul be when he returns to the field of play. He says that his manager, Rory Gallagher, wants to use certain talents that the Glen man may not have always shown.

“Rory has been working on me to start taking men on. He has been working with me behind the scenes a lot. I have found that it has helped my confidence. He is making me a better player.

“I have been playing midfield or half-back in the past few years and it has been good. Most other years I would have been half-forward. The way it is evolving now forwards are the ones who are doing all the defensive work. So it has given me a bit of freedom on the ball.

“I have not taken men on with the county as much. I’d usually pass the buck. But in the past few years I have taken a bit more ownership and leadership in this squad.”

Last season, Derry had a forgettable year. They didn’t get the promotion out of Division Three that they had dearly wanted. Their championship campaign saw them lose to Armagh, and though they did show signs of playing well, it felt as if they are some way off achieving anything.

McFaul doesn’t feel that way.

“Rory knows what he is going for. It was hard for Rory last year. There were games called off. We didn’t get the best of Rory.

“We  are learning what he has in his locker, tactically. Last year we were just taking every game that it came. He didn’t know us as players and we didn’t know him as a manager. He is now seeing what sort of players that he has. It is exciting for Derry players. It is the first time I am excited about playing.”

There’s another reason why McFaul feels excited about the season ahead.

“A settled panel is massive for Derry. Now there has been a good bit of gelling and a lot of friendships. We are building the trust.

“It is a very young squad. If you take away the likes of Chrissy McKaigue I’d be next oldest, then Brendan Rogers, and Emmett Bradley. I am only 27. It is a young squad but we have been about for a number of years.

“The goal is to win something and we believe we can win something. It is about keeping people together. There are good players there but Derry has been drifting in and out. Hopefully we do stick together and push on.”

McFaul has been part of the Derry squad since 2012 so he has seen plenty of changes in that time. There’s been four different managers in that period alone so continuity is perhaps an issue.

But according to McFaul, the work being done behind the scenes is first class.

“I am enjoying it. It is all individual work and tailored programmes. You are still training flat out but you are finding more time because you are fit to do it whenever you want. What is hard is the skills work. You can’t compare yourself to anyone else. At training you compete with better players. All you can do is be ready for the league starting.

“Pete (Hughes) the strength and conditioning coach ,is working off metrics. Most people have gym equipment and are able to tick over. I am happy with where I am at. But it is only January. Pete is trying to get us ready for the league starting.

“Anne Marie (Mulholland) is in there and keeping on top of our diet. There are a lot of Zoom calls. It all keeps you motivated.”

So the work continues for now, until they find out when the league actually begins.

“It’s  massive year for us in Division Three. There are a lot of massive teams in Division Three. First game is Cavan at home. It’s going to be very competitive.”