ULSTER champions Derry have the chance to complete back-to-back provincial titles for just the second time in their history this weekend when they take on Armagh in Clones.
The Oak Leaf county haven’t won two-in-a-row since 1975 and 1976 and Rory Gallagher’s men, who ended a 24-year wait for an Ulster title last season, seem a stronger outfit than they were 12 months ago.
The emergence of Eoin McEvoy at full-back has freed up Brendan Rogers to play at midfield, Odhran Lynch has grown into a point-kicking sweeper keeper and Ciaran McFaul is back in the panel, playing the final 20 minutes of their eight-point win over Monaghan.
Are they in a stronger position than they were last season? Chrissy McKaigue, last year’s captain, isn’t sure if that is the case, but suggests Derry have been determined to improve on their 2022 campaign.
“The way our game works, it’s the results that will reflect whether that is a fair comment or not,” said the Slaughtneil clubman at last week’s Ulster final press night.
“For us, we desperately wanted to get better from last year, and we knew that we had room to get better from last year.
“There is no question about it, Ciaran McFaul being back is a massive plus for us, and we’re delighted to have him back, because he’s a very special player.
“It’s grand now, because we have done well in the first two games to date, but we live in a sporting world where after one defeat or poor performance, everybody says you’re not as good as you were or whatever the case may be.
“Sometimes a more balanced outlook is needed. We felt at the start of the year that upon reflection of last year, irrespective of getting to the last four, and being Ulster champions, the reality was that we felt as though we had huge room for improvement.
“There are a variety of reasons that play into that, such as the age profile of the team, the fact that Ciaran (McFaul) wasn’t involved in the team last year.
“Look, we feel as though we’re in a good position, but we’re very aware that we need a massive performance against Armagh to be competitive with them, and we have to stay balanced too, but irrespective of who wins, there is still a lot of football to be played this year.
“The nature of the system is so different, so as heart-breaking as it would be for any team not to win the Ulster Championship next Sunday, the bottom line is that the season is far from over.”
There’s little recent history between the two counties, who last contested the Ulster final in 2000 and since then, have only met five times in the Championship.
“I suppose that adds a wee bit of freshness too, but I just think that Ulster football is in a very healthy state,” added McKaigue.
“You had four teams from Ulster in Division One, and I think that’s why there is still so much interest in the Ulster Championship, because it’s so competitive.
“Ourselves and Armagh is a different pairing for an Ulster final, but it has brought quite a lot of interest and excitement, because there is no recent history to look back upon.”
