Derry bidding to make a breakthrough

By Michael McMullan

DERRY are eyeing a second win of the Division Four season on Sunday in Wicklow.

After victory over Kilkenny in their opening game, Kate Hargan looks back on their two defeats and feels it’s a matter of when rather than if they turn the corner.

The Oakleafers have added Leo Sweeney to their management team alongside Seamus Shivers and Greg McArdle.

While they have only one victory to show for 2026, there is more steel than last season when they shipped 19 goals in seven league games.

With 10 minutes gone in the second half, Derry were level with Sligo before falling short. They picked the lessons of defeat ahead of a game with Longford.

The Oaks turned a 5-16 to 1-8 defeat last season into a 0-10 to 0-4 game they feel they could’ve won.

“I personally felt a bit disappointed, because I feel like there was maybe more to take from that than what we actually got from it,” Hargan said.

“There were just maybe parts of our play that showed that we needed to work on more, maybe in the final third with our forward play.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work on our defensive set-up and I think that has shown throughout the matches so far.”

Before they left the Eoghan Rua pitch, after the Longford game, they made a pact. It was now time to bring an attacking side to their game with the defensive mantra beginning to take root.

Their focus was on stopping a barrage of goals. There has been a greater awareness of when to push out and when to sit, not leaving space to be exploited at the back.

“There’s definitely a structure there,” Hargan added. “It’s not an overnight process, so we know that it’s going to take a bit of time.

“At the end of the day we’ve only played three matches with it, so it’s not too bad so far.”

They face Wicklow on Sunday who have yet to register a win but Derry will also recall being on the back of a 3-16 to 1-6 defeat last season against the Garden County.

“We’re definitely chomping at the bit to get our next win,” Hargan stressed of the overall focus, while pointing to what will lay the foundation.

“We’re also going into each match and focusing on our performance and putting into play what we’re doing in training.

“Although we are looking for results, we’re also looking at how the structure that we’re setting up is actually working in play.”

There is a togetherness in the group and a buy in to what the management is selling. That’s the important part of any long-term plan.

They can look back at taking a goal-hungry Antrim side all the way in last season’s Ulster Championship, a game they’ve often referenced.

“Everybody’s committed,” Hargan stressed of what’s under the Derry bonnet.

“That’s the most important thing and I know everybody is on the same page with that.

“Last year was obviously the foundation setting and there’s still a core group of girls that have returned.

“We obviously have some new girls coming in, which is great to see, because we do need that as well.

“It’s a great group of girls and we’ve bonded really well. It’s a good set up and the mood is always quite positive.

“We’re not just going out to fulfil fixtures,” Hargan concluded.

“There is the belief there that we can do it, but it’s just a matter of time.”