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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Chrissy McKaigue says reports of Derry's demise have been greatly exaggerated
Chrissy McKaigue considers the portrayal of Derry's winless season, and feels it is too rudimentary to judge everything solely on the results. Because Derry are back in Newry this Saturday, and they might just be back in business too. The last time the Oak Leafers won a competitive match in regulation time was their All-Ireland SFC round three group game against Westmeath at Páirc Esler in Newry on June 15th, 2024. They subsequently beat Mayo after a penalty shootout in a preliminary quarter-final before losing to Kerry in the last eight. McKaigue played in all three of those games – scoring the crucial equalising point at the end of normal time in Castlebar – but in November the 2022 All-Star defender announced his intercounty retirement. 'I've settled in relatively well and that's probably a good thing, because when your gut tells you that it's time to move on and several months down the line it still feels that way, that's a fairly good indication that the time was right,' he says. READ MORE 'From around May onwards, every time I was coming out of the Owenbeg changing rooms I was going, 'This is one less visit that I'm going to have in the years to come'. Time moves on quickly and you realise that everyone's replaceable.' Haste wasn't Derry GAA's strong point last autumn, and they were the last county to appoint a senior football manager for 2025, with Paddy Tally confirmed as boss in mid-November. It has been a difficult maiden season for Tally, but their recent draw with Galway in the second round of group games felt like a statement performance. The aim now is to add a statement win against Dublin in Newry on Saturday. McKaigue does not agree with the view that Derry's footballers have been spiralling since the end of last year's league campaign. ' It depends on your definition of dropping off the edge of a cliff,' he replies when asked about Derry's 12-month slump. ' We won the Division One National League title, which is no mean feat. Now, is it that Derry failed in terms of meeting their expectations in the championship? Absolutely, but there has been a narrative created last year that Derry's senior footballers had the worst season ever. 'They won the McKenna Cup, I'm not claiming it to be anything overly special – but they still won it. They won Division One of the National League, they didn't have a good championship campaign, but it's all relative because they were beaten by Donegal, Armagh, Galway and eventually Kerry – three out of the four teams that reached the All-Ireland semi-finals. Derry still reached the quarter-finals. 'I can remember many poorer years for Derry in the championship than last year, but it was sort of built up into this catastrophe of a year. It was more that we didn't meet expectations. 'It's amazing that narrative was sort of depicted in so many areas, and I felt Mickey Harte last year got a lot of scrutiny that was a wee bit over the top at times. 'I still feel that Derry are a contender for Sam Maguire, maybe not this year in the same capacity as last year, but do I feel that Derry squad will have the potential to be a contender for Sam Maguire in the next number of years? I do. 'I know that's the ambition for Derry as a county. I'd like to think that wouldn't be based upon delusion, that would be based upon fact and logic. In the last three years, back-to-back semi-finals and last year quarter-finals, so you'd like to think there's a wee bit of substance in that claim. 'This year hasn't gone very well, but there have been legitimate reasons for that.' And as for Derry's winless streak, McKaigue believes there are various ways to juggle those stats. 'Winning on penalties counts as a victory, we went down to Mayo and beat them,' he says. 'Just to make sure you're writing that now, because I don't buy into that narrative. Winning on penalties still works. 'By the time Derry play Dublin next weekend, they'll have played 11 competitive games this year, and each of the 11 games will have been played against Division One standard teams. So it's all relative too, the standard of opposition they have played against this year has been of a really high standard. 'You have to give Paddy Tally a bit of slack too, in regards that we're missing Conor McCluskey and Gareth McKinless. From a Derry perspective, they are two generational players.' Still, unless they get something from their clash with Dublin on Saturday, Derry's 2025 season will be over. 'You would imagine Dublin's efficiency will be better than (it was against Armagh),' says McKaigue. 'But you're going to Newry, you're going to a tighter pitch, you're going to a proper championship game where it literally is winner takes all. 'Are Derry capable of beating Dublin? Absolutely, but Dublin are also capable of beating Derry. People aren't quite sure where Derry and Dublin both are in the pecking order, so you would like to think after the next game there will be a bit more transparency shed on that one. 'I just think Dublin will have a big say in this year's All-Ireland, potentially. I hope they don't, because that will mean that Derry will have turned them over. 'They're a different side without Con O'Callaghan, too. He is their David Clifford. He is their leader. He does so much for them and gives them that composure and that settled feeling .' Chrissy McKaigue was speaking at the launch of the 2025 Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland minor championships
Belfast Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Paddy Tally's big decision will frustrate some but help Derry's All-Ireland mission, says former captain
Former county captain Gerard O'Kane has offered an explanation as to why Derry didn't release players for their clubs this season, and why the team should really have improved over the last five weeks. The Oak Leafers have endured a horrid start to 2025, suffering relegation from Division One without winning a single match and then losing the Ulster Preliminary Quarter-Final to Donegal.
Belfast Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Tyrone hold off Derry comeback to move one step away from defending Ulster Under-20 title
The Oak Leafers lost last year's Final to the Red Hands on penalties but have been a consisted force at minor level, winning the last two All-Ireland titles. They had to fend off a stern Derry fightback after hitting three second half goals. Tommy Rogers opened the scoring with a point in the first attack before Tyrone got to grips with the Derry running game. The home side registered wides and found themselves shut out, with the Red Hands pushing 0-3 to 0-1 ahead with scores from Eoin McElholm, Matthew Quinn and Liam Óg Mossey. With the accuracy of goalkeeper Karl Campbell's kicking, Derry pulled themselves back level with brothers Sean and Eamon Young on target. The sides were level four times during the half, with the only half goal chance falling to Derry. Johnny McGuckian's tame shot was pushed away by Conor McAneney but, when the move was recycled, Danny McDermott sliced over a score. Derry skipper Forbes put the home side 0-9 to 0-5 ahead with two minutes of normal time to play. Tyrone pulled themselves back into contention with Ruairi McCullagh hitting their first point in 14 minutes before a two-point free left them a point adrift at the break, 0-9 to 0-8. Tyrone hit the net in the first attack with Cónán Devlin squeezing through despite Campbell's best efforts. Derry had a chance with the next attack but McAnaney made the save at full length. The home side were back on level terms before a Conor O'Neill goal put Tyrone four points ahead midway through the second half. McElholm added a third goal before two pointers from Forbes and Dillon pulled Derry back but it was too little too late Derry: K Campbell; R Small, C McGrogan (0-1), P Haran; L Grant, P McMullan, R Forbes (0-3, 1 tp); T Rogers (0-1), D McDermott (0-1); E Young (0-6, 3f), S Young (0-2), J McGuckian; J Bryson, R McNicholl, O Doherty (0-1f) Subs: C Higgins (0-2) for McNicholl (HT), G Dillon (0-2 tpf) for Doherty (46), C Bradley for McGuckian (60), P O'kane for Haran (61) Tyrone: C McAneney; F Nelis, B Hughes, Conor Devlin; C Daly, J Clarke, C Donnelly (0-2); Cónán Devlin (1-0), C O'Neill (1-1); C Sheehy (0-1), E McElholm (1-3), M Quinn (0-1); N Grimes, R McCullagh (0-3, 1 tpf, 1f), L Mossey (0-1)
BBC News
06-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Donegal subdue Derry resistance in Ulster SFC opener
Donegal subdued periods of Derry resistance to earn an in-the-end comfortable 1-25 to 1-15 victory in the Ulster Football Championship opener at Ballybofey. Shane McGuigan had an early penalty saved by Donegal keeper Shaun Patton and the Oak Leafers missed other potential goal chances as the sides were level at 0-5 to 0-5 after 26 Dara O Baoill's 1-4 before half-time as Donegal also punished Derry indiscipline helped the home side move into a 1-12 to 1-5 lead by the break even though Dan Higgins also struck a goal for the visitors in the same frenetic pointers from Conor Doherty and Brendan Rogers helped Derry - who by now had the wind advantage - cut Donegal's lead to only two after the Jim McGuinness' side responded with seven unanswered points to snuff out Derry's hopes as the home side increased their advantage to the Oak Leafers continued to struggle to win keeper Neill McNicholl's kickouts, Donegal were 11 clear at 1-23 to 1-12 up by the 56th minute, which enabled them to take off Patrick McBrearty after he had contributed 0-7. Donegal were able to utilise their far stronger bench in the closing stages as substitutes Oisin Gallen and Jamie Brennan notched scores after coming contrast, Derry's bench had an inexperienced look but while it was ultimately a comprehensive defeat for the Oak Leafers, manager Paddy Tally will take positives from their strong-running efforts in the first half. Derry chase early goals Derry will be immensely frustrated at failing to exploit several scoring opportunities in the opening half - not least McGuigan's seventh-minute penalty miss. Donegal were 0-2 to 0-1 ahead with Conor O'Donnell and Ryan McHugh having responded to Padraig McGrogan's opening score when McGuigan failed to beat Shaun Patton from the penalty spot. The spot-kick was awarded for Hugh McFadden's foul on McGuigan after a quick Derry break but the full-forward's weak shot was saved by Patton, with McGuigan hesitating instead of soccer-styling the rebound to the net which allowed the Donegal keeper to block the continued to chase goals as there were able to make a number of incisions deep into the Donegal defence with Conor Doherty poking wide after losing control of possession following his own that stage, Derry trailed 0-4 to 0-2 but a Niall Toner point and a McGuigan free had the sides level by 23rd minute and they were soon back on terms when the Derry full-forward responded to a Peadar Mogan remaining nine minutes of first-half action was the key period of the contest as O Baoill's first two-pointer was followed immediately by two more Donegal scores as Michael Murphy and McBrearty pointed frees after referee Brendan Cawley had brought the ball forward 50 metres because of Derry indiscipline.O Baoill's second two-pointer in five minutes put Donegal six up and while Dan Higgins' goal, after another lightning Derry break cut the margin to only three, the home side's response was immediate as a Conor O'Donnell point was followed by O Baoill's goal with Derry defenders retreating instead of taking on the Gweedore man before he fired emphatically into the net from 18 to follow. Donegal: S Patton; F Roarty, B McCole, C Moore; R McHugh, C McGonagle, P Mogan; H McFadden, M Murphy; D O Baoill, C Thompson, S O'Donnell; O McFadden Ferry, C O'Donnell, P G Mulreany, M Curran, S McMenamin, K McGettigan, J Brennan, J Mac Ceallabhui, M Langan, N O'Donnell, O Gallen, A Doherty, J N McNicholl; D Baker, B Rogers, M Bradley; C Doherty, P McGrogan, E McEvoy; C Glass, D Higgins; E Doherty, Paul Cassidy, C McFaul; N Toner, S McGuigan, L B McKinless, N Loughlin, P McGurk, D Cassidy, B McCarron, M Doherty, C Devlin, C McMonagle, R Mulholland, C Diamond, K Quinn.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Derry relegated to Division Two after Mayo defeat
Derry have been relegated to Division Two after they suffered a 1-17 to 2-19 defeat against Mayo at Celtic Park in their penultimate Division One game. The Oak Leafers made a bright start to the game with Patrick McGurk rattling home an early goal on his first start. They trailed 1-8 to 1-11 at the break as Jordan Flynn fired in a goal for Mayo after the hooter had sounded for half-time Paddy Tally's side made a slow start to the second half and were punished, with Frank Irwin scoring Mayo's second goal as they moved 10 ahead and while Derry fought back, it ultimately proved to be in vain. Last year's Division One winners, who are still awaiting a first league win this year with one game left, drop down a division after collecting just one point from their six games. Former minor captain McGurk was handed a starting berth in place of the injured Brendan Rogers and made an instant impact by firing into the far corner from close range. It came just minutes after Niall Toner had palmed wide when presented with a goal opportunity after good work from Shane McGuigan. The impressive Matthew Ruane and Ryan O'Donoghue, who were both key to Mayo's victory, kicked four points between them to get their side back in the game. Derry then lost goalkeeper Odhran Lynch to injury and his replacement Neil McNicholl was called into action immediately, making himself big as David O'Brien fired wide after being found by Aidan O'Shea. Tally's side registered four points in a row, but Mayo fought back to within a point and landed a decisive blow as half-time beckoned. Flynn clinically dispatched into the far corner to give Mayo a three-point advantage at the break. The goal came after the hooter had already sounded as Derry had initially attempted an attack after O'Shea had been dispossessed but after Padraig McGrogan was turned over just on halfway, Mayo worked the ball downfield again and Flynn smashed a low shot past McNicholl. Soon after the restart, McNicholl denied O'Donoghue, who fired over a point on the rebound but the goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Irwin from scoring minutes later. Ruane tagged on another two points as Mayo rattled off four successive scores to establish a comfortable advantage. Derry did chip away at their lead, cutting it to five at one stage with Conor Glass landing two straight two-pointers alongside a point from Conor Doherty. McGuigan spurned another goal chance for the hosts, firing into the side netting from a tight angle. Glass got another two-pointer, but two late Mayo points sealed Derry's fate with the Oak Leafers still to play Armagh next weekend and ensured Kevin McStay's side will retain their own Division One status.
