Meenagh: We’re building a squad

THERE are two prongs to Derry’s league season – amassing points and building a squad.

That was the take of manager Ciarán Meenagh after Sunday’s landslide 20-point win over a previously unbeaten Cork.

Since returning to the Oakleaf County, Meenagh has handed out six debuts.

Having played championship football under both Mickey Harte and Paddy Tally, Ruairi Forbes has played every minute of Derry’s league season.

Cousins Shea and Matthew Downey had also had game time after returning to the panel.

While Conor McAteer, Jack and Mark Doherty have all opted out the squad in recent weeks, the Oakleafers are building depth.

Conor McCluskey has yet to return from injury, His Rossa teammates Odhrán Lynch and Eoin McEvoy taking part in the warm-up on Sunday.

“Eoin McEvoy is back now in full training,” Meenagh said of their long-term recovery plan for his lingering knee injury.

“The sheer physical size of that man and the pedigree that he has and the competent nature, he will be playing minutes now very, very shortly.”

There was a return for Dan Higgins with his younger brother Conall also making his senior debut in Sunday’s win over the Rebels.

“It’s all about growing a bit of strength and depth,” Meenagh said.

“I thought he (Dan) did really well. His physical size will be important to us moving forward. He’s a player that I value very, very highly.

“Ruairi Forbes is only 20 – himself and Sean Young aren’t 21 until the very end of June.

“We have the likes of Patrick McGurk and these lads that are coming back and that are very, very close as well.

“I’d like to think that we’re building a squad here as we go.

“There’s a premium on results and there’s pressure on results, but we’re trying to build a squad in the process.”

Meenagh has four u-20s as part of the current squad, who will now focus on their upcoming Ulster opener against Monaghan in Castleblayney later this month.

Former minor All-Ireland winning captain James Sargent, who was taking part in the same running drills as McEvoy last week, is on his way back from an ACL injury sustained on u-20 duty last season.

“James only turned 19 there a couple of weeks ago,” Meenagh added. “He’s a premium athlete.

“He will play in the u-20 championship. Conall Higgins come into the game there, Eamon Young (younger brother of Sean) was on the bench.

“Tommy Rogers (cousin of Brendan) was on the bench the last day. They’ll go back to the 20s now.”