Derry manager Paddy Tally believes that his side will be able to rebound from relegation to Division 2 of the Allianz Football League, and is confident his players will recover in time for the Ulster Championship.
The Oak Leaf county, who were champions of Division 1 only a year ago, had their relegation confirmed today with a 2-19 to 1-17 defeat against Mayo. With odds drastically shifting on Leonbet and other betting platforms regarding Derry’s Ulster Championship prospects, Tally remains steadfast in his belief that his team can turn their fortunes around when championship football begins in earnest.
Goals from Jordan Flynn and Frank Irwin guided Mayo to a five-point victory in Celtic Park and the result leaves Derry with just one point from their league campaign, marking a dramatic fall from grace for a team that was lifting silverware just 12 months ago.
“It’s been a difficult period, there’s no question about that,” admitted Tally, speaking exclusively to the Derry Journal after the match. “Going from Division 1 champions to relegation in the space of a year isn’t something any of us anticipated, but sport can be cruel that way.”
The defeat to Mayo had a familiar feel for Derry supporters who have watched their team struggle throughout this campaign. Despite periods of promising play, they were ultimately undone by defensive lapses and an inability to convert chances when they mattered most.
For Tally, the game represented a microcosm of what Derry have done so far this campaign and he admitted that his players didn’t reach the standards required of them.
“It’s been a symptom of our season so far,” he told RTÉ Sport. “Today looked like the way our year has been, bits good and bits poor. We looked exciting at times and a lot of time we just looked off it.
“I think it [relegation] was inevitable. We really needed things to fall for us and even if we had won the game today, I didn’t think we were going to survive. Our relegation was probably sorted out a long time ago.
“Today was disappointing because I think the players really wanted to equip themselves well. At times we did play well, we played with plenty of spirit, but we just didn’t play up to the standards we expected ourselves.”
From champions to relegation: What went wrong?
Derry’s dramatic decline from Division 1 champions to relegation fodder has been one of the stories of this league campaign. Many point to the departure of former manager Rory Gallagher and several key players as the primary factors behind the collapse.
“We lost some experienced campaigners who were central to our success last year,” explained Tally. “Gareth McKinless, Conor Glass, Ethan Doherty – these were players who formed the backbone of that Division 1-winning team. Replacing that kind of talent and leadership overnight isn’t easy.”
Glass, in particular, has been a significant loss. The Glen clubman was instrumental in Derry’s rise through the divisions and his absence through injury has been keenly felt in the engine room of midfield.
Former Derry star Joe Brolly didn’t mince his words when assessing his county’s performances this season: “They’ve looked rudderless at times,” he told the Irish Independent. “The defensive structure that was their hallmark has completely disintegrated, and they’re being opened up far too easily. Teams aren’t afraid of them anymore.”
Statistics support Brolly’s assessment. In their seven league games, Derry conceded an average of 2.4 goals per game – the highest in Division 1 by a considerable margin. Their previously miserly defense has become uncharacteristically porous.
Championship hopes
Derry now face a dead rubber against Armagh next week in their final league game, and already thoughts are turning to the championship.
Tally’s men get their Ulster campaign underway against Donegal in three weeks and while their league performances have hardly represented ideal preparation, he still believes his side is heading in the right direction.
“The first thing you do is look what you’re doing well. You know, there is a lot of really good stuff. I know we didn’t get the result today, but there’s still a lot of really good football being played.
“We’ve exposed players to Division 1. I think there’s another couple of lads getting there today for the first time, so that’s part of it as well.
“You have to look at the positives here. This is a process that was never going to be easy after last year, after the way Derry finished the season last year. We knew this was going to be a tough one.
“We’re trying to rebuild something here, it’s going to take a bit of time.”
Former Derry captain Mark Lynch believes the championship could offer his county salvation. “The league and championship are completely different beasts,” he told the Irish News. “Sometimes a clean slate is exactly what a team needs. This Derry squad still has serious quality, and if they can get their key men fit and find their confidence again, they could surprise a lot of people.”
Reasons for optimism
Despite the gloomy league campaign, there are genuine grounds for optimism ahead of the championship. Shane McGuigan has maintained his high standards throughout, averaging over 0-6 per game despite limited quality ball coming his way.
The potential return of Conor Glass for the Ulster championship would also be a massive boost. The midfielder has been sorely missed during the league, and his physicality and leadership could transform Derry’s fortunes.
“Conor is progressing well,” confirmed Tally. “We’re hopeful he’ll be available for the Donegal game. His return would be huge for us, not just for his playing ability but for the lift it would give the whole squad.”
Young players have also stepped up during the campaign. Donncha Gilmore and Matthew Downey have shown flashes of their potential, while Lachlan Murray’s performances have been one of the few consistently bright spots.
“These young lads have got valuable experience at the highest level,” said Tally. “That will stand to them in the championship and beyond. Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.”
The Donegal challenge
The Ulster Championship opener against Donegal represents a stern test for Tally’s men. Jim McGuinness has returned to the Donegal hot seat and immediately guided them back to Division 1, suggesting they’re on an upward trajectory just as Derry appear to be heading in the opposite direction.
“Donegal under Jim will be an altogether different proposition to what we’ve faced in the league,” admitted Tally. “They’re well-organized, physical, and have quality forwards. But championship football often brings the best out in teams that have struggled in the league.”
Former Donegal manager McGuinness himself was quick to dismiss Derry’s league form as irrelevant. “The championship is a different animal,” he said at a press event in Letterkenny. “Derry were All-Ireland semi-finalists last year. You don’t become a bad team overnight. We’ll be preparing to face the Derry of 2023, not the team that’s struggled these past few months.”
As Tally prepares his squad for their final league outing against Armagh and then the championship beyond, he remains philosophical about the journey his team is on.
“Sometimes in football, like in life, you need to experience the lows to really appreciate the highs,” he reflected. “This group has character, and I’ve no doubt they’ll respond in the right way. The championship gives us a fresh opportunity, and we intend to grab it with both hands.”
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