Opinion: Time for the Oaks to kick on

THERE is enough to be positive from Derry’s season to leave the glass half full.

Fans will be glad to see the back of Division Four and the recent shoots at underage level could help a sustained spell far away from any chance of dropping into a Tailteann Cup scenario.

Going to Navan on Sunday, the seat at the top table wasn’t within their own reach. Missing promotion was a disappointment, but a settled team is something fans across county have been crying out for.

For the Oakleafers, the revolving door and the lack of continuity in selection is a thing of the past.

What next? Getting a regular scoring threat to take the pressure off Shane McGuigan is one aspect. Niall Loughlin’s 1-4 on Sunday is promising and Lachlan Murray’s 0-8 from play is a start.

For me, the main one is kick-outs. Derry don’t need to toss out both baby and bathwater, but need more variation and I’ve been saying that since before that first half disaster against Galway.

Odhrán Lynch has the accuracy to go short, but the concern is the inability for Derry – collectively – to kick long, that one option that pens a team back.

Lynch has a booming kick, perhaps the longest in the county, but he needs a Michael Langan type figure to pluck a ball or two on the wing

Not an overuse of it, but having something different in the locker. It’s about getting a kick, every once in a while, like the ones Niall Morgan is opening defences with.

With Conor Glass acting as the defensive midfielder, dropping back as sweeper, finding someone for Lynch to pick out on the wing is a necessity if Derry are going to improve on their top 11 spot.

If Dan Higgins can get a run in the u-20 championship and a spell of action for Magherafelt seniors it would give him a helping hand ahead of next season.

Anton Tohill having a sustained run with Swatragh would help. It’s a pity Oisin McWilliams got a nasty injury as he was beginning to settle in.

Maybe it’s the next port of call for development squads to identify the lean, mobile player at underage and add a timed, hanging jump to his repertoire.

Current selector Enda Muldoon was probably one of the best exponents of it, one of generational players that don’t around too often.

When Derry were last challenging for Sam, he was of a midfield diamond that included Fergal Doherty and Patsy Bradley.

The game has changed in terms of tactics since the,n but that floated ball – a couple of times a half – changes everything and keeps a pressing team more honest.

READ MORE – Cormac O’Doherty hopes Derry learn their lessons. Click here…