ADAPTABILITY is always a good quality to have, especially for those players learning the new rules while still playing under the old ones.
Charlie Diamond is in that category, called up to the Derry senior squad and also featuring for Ulster University as they defend the Sigerson Cup he helped them win last year.
The Bellaghy lad has already proved his versatility. An impressive attacker for Derry Minors and U20s, winning an All-Ireland Minor title in the extended 2020/21 season, he operates in a defensive role for his university.
“Our manager Barry [Dillon] is different, he sees my defensive abilities. I play wherever I’m put, but I’m confident in my defensive abilities. I sort of play as a sweeper for the university. That has developed that aspect of my game.
“I feel that modern players can adapt to any position. Barry instils great confidence in myself, I’d play anywhere for him.”
In his final year studying CAM (Communication, Advertising, Marketing), he has his sights set on the last of those areas, saying: “I was on placement with FP McCann last year, I do enjoy the marketing aspect.”
The 21-year-old is living at home this year in order to keep his focus on his studies, but that may also have the bonus of being closer to Derry training.
He’s obviously keen to follow in family footsteps into the Derry senior side. His father Karl was a panellist for Derry’s 1993 All-Ireland winners, having won an All-Ireland Minor as an under-16 in 1989. Charlie’s granda Tommy Diamond skippered Derry to the All-Ireland Minor in 1965 and remains an influence on his grandson:
“He always keeps in touch about the football, it’s a big part of the family. Him and big Laurence, my great-uncle, would be two men I looked up to growing up, two brilliant footballers in their day – and my da, who played for Derry too.
“With Derry, I’ve been training with boys I’ve looked up to when growing up, a brilliant team and management. It’s been going well.”
It’s 20 years since the Sigerson Cup was retained, by Sligo IT in 2005, but Diamond freely admits that is the target for Ulster University:
“Oh, that’s obviously the end game. We have lost very good players from last year, like Niall Loughlin, Peter Og McCartan, Darragh Canavan, but we’ve added a few from the first year team and boys coming into the university, including Danny Magill [Down] and Eoin McElholm [Tyrone]. That’s definitely the aim this year, our squad is very strong again.”
The campaign began in style, with a 10-point win away to ATU Sligo last week, Diamond pleased with the performance in that 2-17 to 1-10 win:
“100 per cent. It’s always tricky going away to a side like that, and they set up very strong defensively, so we did very well to break them down.”
Wednesday evening brings a harder challenge, in the winners’ section of round 2, up against University of Limerick, who also enjoyed a 13-point away win, beating ATU Galway by 3-17 to 1-10.
At least the game is on neutral territory, at the Abbotstown complex in Dublin, which UU know well: “It’s familiar territory from last year, I think we played there three or four times. It should be a good test for us. If we win, we get a bye, so that could be massive for us.”
Progress with UU can only enhance his Derry chances, he believes, given that Derry boss Paddy Tally is a major fan of the competition as a former St Mary’s manager:
“I totally agree with that. Paddy has been brilliant in letting players play, there are a few at Queen’s and playing for Ulster as well.
“It’s a huge competition, a lot of media attention and promotion. It’s a stage to show your skills, you’re playing with and against some of the best young players in Ireland.”
Charlie Diamond is one of those, and may well add to the proud family tradition in the years to come.
