New Derry boss optimistic despite player losses

By Niall Gartland

NEW Derry camogie manager Eamonn Melaugh tentatively his sights on reaching another Division 2A final even though there’s been a massive turnover in personnel during the off-season.

Last September, PJ O’Mullan stepped down after two seasons at the helm of the Oakleafers, the highlight of which was their 2023 All-Ireland Intermediate triumph.

In his second and final season in charge, they made the Division 2A final, but they were left chasing that game against Westmeath after shipping three first-half goals. They also came out second best in the Ulster Senior Championship final against Antrim, but they ended the season on a high note, retaining their All-Ireland Senior status, while both their Ulster rivals, Down and Antrim, were relegated.

O’Mullan subsequently stepped down and into the breach stepped Melaugh, a native of Ballymena who lives in Lavey.

His task hasn’t been made any easier as there has been a big drop-off in personnel with only around a dozen of last year’s panel remaining, including Sleacht Néill stalwart Aoife Ní Chaiside, Bellaghy’s Orlaith Hull and Swatragh’s Niamh Quinn.

It’s been a challenging start to his tenure, as Melaugh himself acknowledges.

“It’s been difficult, a lot of girls are taking time out so it was a slow start, but we’re starting to get there. We’ve a panel of young girls and we’re more or less building a new team.

“Originally our plan was to get another league final. It still is the plan, but it’ll be a lot harder than we first thought.”

Later in the season, Derry will have another shot at competing in the top-tier Senior Championship. Avoiding relegation looks a taller order, but they’ll cross that road when they come to it.

“It’ll be a very big challenge. Last year they maintained their Senior Championship status, which was a great achievement. They still got a few big beatings which is understandable given the quality of teams they were facing, and it’s going to be even tougher this year. We just have to take it as it comes and see how it all ends up.”

Their first competitive outing of the new season is an away trip to Carlow this Saturday, a game Melaugh believes is perfectly winnable.

Melaugh, who has helped manage Lavey camogs in recent years, has brought with him a backroom team to help spread the workload.

“John McKillop from Cushendall is the main trainer. There’s Darragh Curly, he’s originally from Clare but has been living up here in Lavey.

“He’ll be doing a bit of fitness work with the girls, he’s very, very good and does a lot of work behind the scenes. Then there’s young Leo Passmore, he’s the goalkeeping coach. Those are the main lads in with me.”