Michael McMullan takes a look ahead to Derry’s new season and the importance of getting back to winning ways

PICTURE the scene. Ulster final day 2022. St Tiernach’s Park. Chrissy McKaigue was about to lift the Anglo Celt Cup.

The game’s ebbing through the wringer of extra-time poured petrol on a 24-year-old Derry fire of Ulster silverware emptiness.

You couldn’t turn a sweet in your mouth. The pitch was wedged with people.

McKaigue said it was Derry’s time and urged the throngs of fans to get behind the team, one worth believing in.

The Oakleafers backed up their success 12 months later in a Clones head-spinner that needed penalties.

Ciarán Meenagh took over after Rory Gallagher stepped down, in the aftermath of allegations regarding his private life.

Derry fully believed they’d beat Kerry in an All-Ireland semi-final that the Kingdom needed every sinew to win.

Meenagh opened his soul in the post-game interview. Totally gutted. Empty. Defeated. Coming close didn’t wash.

It was his last time in charge of Derry until now. Mickey Harte steered them to the Division One title in 2024 before the wheels came off during the championship.

It was Paddy Tally who took over last season and Derry failed to win a game during a car-crash of a season with injuries, new rules and zero consistency.

Relegation came and went with shoots of hope in the All-Ireland series before slipping out at the hands of Dublin.

From the 2022 team, McKaigue and Benny Heron have retired, returning now as part of Meenagh’s management ticket.

Goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch missed last season with injury. Emmet Bradley is no longer part of the squad and Oisin McWilliams has had an injury nightmare.

Ciaran McFaul hasn’t committed this year but his clubmate Jack Doherty has made a return to the panel and Gareth McKinless is back from injury.

On the management front, Meenagh has surrounded himself with people he has worked will before or has a close affiliation with. It’s a camp built on trust.

Getting former Donegal coach Luke Barrett on board is a major coup, having been part of the Loughmacrory success story.

As well as his modern approach and detail in analysis, Barrett has the experience banked from helping his native county to back-to-back Ulster titles and a run to the All-Ireland final last season.

Derry had a recent run-out against Dublin in a challenge game but Sunday’s Dr McKenna Cup opener against Donegal was postponed with both counties agreeing to take a point each.

With Lynch out injured, goalkeepers Shea McGuckin and Ryan Scullion will be vying for the number one jersey ahead of the league.

Derry’s opening game is in Croke Park against Meath after the Royals opted for it as their base with work ongoing in Páirc Tailteann. It will be followed by the visit of Tyrone to Celtic Park.

With Derry and Tyrone coming down from the top flight last year, the narrative is pointing for both to make a swift return but that’s not how it works.

Meath reached the All-Ireland semi-finals last year and ended Dublin’s reign in Leinster. Aaron Kernan has joined Robbie Brennan’s backroom team and they’ve the injured men from 2025 back in contention.

Gavin Devlin is in charge of Louth with Mickey Harte still in Offaly adding to the intrigue but Derry will be relieved to have Cork at home.

Meenagh will be able to build a team around the experience of McKinless, Paudi McGrogan and Conor Doherty.

Conor Glass and Brendan Rogers will be a formidable midfield axis but getting Rogers fresh after the extended club hurling season is key.

It’s the same for Shane McGuigan and Derry fans will be hoping he can rediscover his All-Star form.

Getting Paul Cassidy, Ethan and Jack Doherty on song with be another target. They are the link men.

In terms of attacking options, keeping Lachlann Murray injury free will be high on the agenda. He is a brilliant shooter and his direct running make him a menace for defenders.

Steelstown attacking duo Cahir McMonagle and Ben McCarron have not been recalled to the panel. McMonagle lit up the club season with Steelstown.

It remains to be seen if any of the Glenullin players are called in. Ryan McNicholl’s 7-22 will be worth a look. Néill McNicholl was one of Paddy Tally’s goalkeeper options last year but is having a fine season at midfield.

Conor Rafferty has excelled on Glenullin’s road to Croke Park with Diarmuid McNicholl making a name as an excellent man-marker.

An attacker added to the mix is Conall Higgins of Magherafelt with his older brother Dan showing signs last year of someone who could push on. There is a return for Mark Doherty with his Newbridge captain Conor McAteer also on board. Brothers Eamon and Sean Young have been added.

Former All-Ireland minor winning captain Matthew Downey has put is injury problems behind him. Sean Kearney of Swatragh and Sleacht Néill’s Ruairí Ó Mianáin have also been brought in.

Knitting all the pieces together is the stumbling block. There is talent but the Meath and Tyrone games will test what Derry have under the bonnet.

That’s why losing out on fielding in last weekend’s game against Donegal will leave more questions unanswered with Jim McGuinness having named the strongest team he had at his disposal.

NFL TARGET

AFTER not winning a game of any sort last season, victories will be Derry’s number one priority. Until that happens, promotion won’t fully enter the debate. If they could muster wins in their two tough opening games against Meath and Tyrone, they could begin to think about it. Easier said than done.

SFC TARGET

IN a new look format this season, getting to an Ulster final would earn the Oakleafers a home draw in the All-Ireland series. Derry will go in as hot favourites against Antrim in the Ulster Championship. The target of getting their hands on the Anglo Celt Cup again will be the perfect mantra to blood some new players in a competitive environment.