New season, new hope for Derry's hurlers

Allianz Hurling League 2B   |   Derry vs. Tyrone   |   Celtic Park Sunday, 1:30pm

For Johnny McGarvey, the start of a new season is night and day compared to just 12 months ago, with excitement now building ahead of a season which he believes can end in promotion for Derry.

The Derry boss came on board amidst significant turmoil last January, and that in its way showed on the pitch as a difficult league season ended in relegation from Division 2A. It was a baptism of fire and no mistake for McGarvey, who is a much healthier position this time around.

“I’ve no real dwelling on last year at all," he admitted. “It’s very, very different this year because outside of the Lavey players, I didn’t really know any of our players personally. It’s very different – we had our block of training there before Christmas and after Christmas, and we know all the lads now and we brought new lads in.

“I don’t think there’s any real comparison in terms of preparing for 2A this year and coming back to prepare for 2B this year. We’ve done our work and for me it doesn’t really matter, it’s just get out there and work hard and see how we get on.”

“I think the step up was just too much last year given the teams that were in 2A. We weren’t prepared to play in it and that’s just the way it was.”

Amidst great difficulty last year, it was clear to see signs of improvement and unity with each game that passed. It took a while, but the first win eventually arrived against Sligo at Owenbeg towards the end of April, and while the league ultimately disappointed, the Christy Ring campaign breathed new life into the season.

The real highlight of the Christy Ring campaign was undoubtedly that incredible win in London, a 1-30, 4-19 victory which saw Derry come from behind to record a remarkable win.

“The London match was probably one of the best games that I’ve ever been involved in,” McGarvey acknowledged. “Both teams hurled serious well and it really did bond the group together. I suppose the Tyrone game was the same in that it finished a draw and we had to dig deep in that match to get a result out of it, which in the end was a point which took us to the Christy Ring final, which was something we didn’t really think about at the time.”

Strength

There was heartbreak in the Christy Ring final in June as Derry fell to a two-point defeat to Meath at Croke Park, but the squad has undoubtedly grown in strength and belief because of that turbulent season.

“When you lose big finals, I think they always stay with you,” McGarvey said. “You put it to the back of your mind but it will always be there, whether that’s Inter-County or underage club. I think players or coaches never let it go, or I don’t anyway. The Christy Ring final was a big disappointment for us, but at the end of the day, our only focus now is Tyrone on Sunday and getting promoted back into 2A or whatever that division is going to be.”

Derry begin a new season against Tyrone at Celtic Park this Sunday. (Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile)

The hurlers will precede the footballers at Celtic Park on Sunday and for an excited McGarvey, it will be the first step on what he believes is a season which can see Derry end on top.

“We certainly feel we’re good enough to get promoted, and if we play well, we’ll give ourselves every chance,” he stated.

“We’ve worked very, very hard and we’ve tried to bring our players back sporadically there from their club commitments. We do fee that we’re in a good place; we have a few injury concerns but we’re happy with what we’ve done.

“I think every game will be fairly close. We have to play well and put a run of consistency together just to try and build a bit of momentum.”

“I love it. That’s what it’s all about. The reason you do all the hard work and do all the preparation is for match day and to enjoy it. The boys have all bought into what we’re trying to do and you can’t ask for any more than that. We have a great bunch of players there and we just can’t wait to get motoring.”