Derry league progress in their own hands

DERRY face into this weekend’s trip to Meath knowing a spot in the league final is in their own hands.

After an opening round win over Carlow, the Oakleafers were beaten by Offaly before bouncing back with victory over Armagh.

Lauren McKenna was the star two years ago across their drawn and replayed All-Ireland finals with Meath when Derry prevailed to take the title.

Under new manager Eamonn Melaugh, Derry are in transition after a host of experienced players stepped away for a variety of reasons.

“Things are going well, definitely better now than what they were in January when we were really struggling for numbers,” McKenna said.

They were helped by the return of Roisin Cassidy and Rebecca Bradley with Niamh Quinn also coming on board.

After getting off to a poor start against Offaly, Derry’s second half performance was a contrast.

Amy Lennon hit an early goal against Armagh and Derry were also out of the traps after half time.

“I think that’s the downfall of the Derry camogie teams in general, even the last couple of years, it was always a slow start for us,” McKenna said.

“Going out against Armagh, the management said we needed to get a good start and that’s what we did.”

That’s the focus this weekend against a Meath team they know very well with some competitive battles in recent seasons.

Derry have the disadvantage of being away from home and must also travel to Kerry in the final game of the campaign.

Looking at the big picture, Derry can still qualify for the league play-offs. It’s in their own hands but it will take two big performances on the road.

“If you had have said to me in January, that we would have won two games with 10 people in training, I’d have thought there was no chance,” McKenna caid about the turnaround.

“It’s about getting a good start but with every game that we’re playing, we’re getting better.

“We’re learning more and more about each other every game. The more we play together, we just hope that we’ll improve on but we know it’s going to be a tough task.”

McKenna pointed to Offaly being one of the top teams in the league but is also encouraged by her side’s second half performance.

“We just have to look ahead and forget about the Offaly game and just keep moving forward,” she said.

“We’ve got a few of the younger players coming in with a bit of pace and fitness.

“Anna McDaid that’s come in there and Eimear Doherty,” he added of some of the newcomers.

“It’s just about bringing them players through as well and getting them game time in these league games as well, to just bring everybody on.

“Every year we have different players coming in. We can’t just be relying on the more experienced players.

“We have to bring more of the younger ones through.

“Every year, we’re going to have to bring a couple of those ones through, to transition into the team. So that’s just how Derry camogie is going to get, hopefully, bigger and better.”