Derry minor manager Damian McErlain was over the moon after the county’s back to back All-Ireland minor titles.
In his fifth year as manager, across two stints, McErlain saw his team come from behind to see off Armagh in Sunday’s showdown in Omagh.
“It’s first class to be honest,” McErlain said of Sunday’s win over Armagh, their third of the season.
The sides were level six times across the game before Cody Rocks fisted home what proved to be the match winning goal with nine minutes to go.
“The game was a massive challenge for us overall,” said McErlain, who was impressed by Armagh’s performance in their win over Mayo.
“We probably played for 10-15 minutes and that was enough to get us over the line. The goals, yes, were probably the key scores in the game but I suppose when Sargie (James Sargent) kicked a point we settled for that 10 or 15 minutes and took over.”
Derry were 0-3 to 0-1 after a bright start before Armagh clawed themselves back on level terms. They needed Jack McCloy and Padraig Haran to shut down to goal chances before Sargent bagged a 20th minute penalty for a 1-3 to 0-3 lead.
It was Armagh who finished the half with a flourish to level matters but it was the middle of the second half before Derry got a grip on the game again.
“We were carrying the ball into the tackle and making it difficult for ourselves,” McErlain said of their first half performance.
It was Armagh’s scores off turnovers that hurt Derry and they went 0-9 to 1-4 ahead after 42 minutes before Derry had their spell.
“We started to win the ball, started putting far more pressure on,” McErlain said of the momentum change before Cody Rocks scored his side’s second goal “Around the middle, our key players started to stand up. Sargent, Luke Grant and Eamon (Young) really started to come in and help us out there…they won the match.”
It still took some key moments. A second vital catch by goalkeeper Jack McCloy. Ronan Canavan coming out of a ruck. Turlough McHugh swatting away a dangerous ball. It even came down to Sargent emerging with the ball from Armagh’s last attack.
“I thought we had to fight very, very hard for decisions,” McErlain added. “Some of the things we were getting punished for just wasn't happening at the other end.
“Ronan Canavan, he was absolutely mauled and then the next thing you get a play-off for over carrying or something, that's a point so we felt there's a number of those but we got over the line despite that.”
McErlain heads to Centre Parks on holiday this week. The irony of it all. It was there, two years ago, he received the phone call to return for a second time as minor manager.
Looking back, McErlain hails the quality of the players in the county over the last two seasons. The depth has left selection calls difficult.
“They've put in the same yards, the same work and you don't get on to the pitch in an All-Ireland final day,” he said of his panel. “That's why you're fit to produce teams because you have a depth of quality.
“There's lads maybe not even on the squad that would be in other squads and getting developed too. Look, I’m just elated to have maximised our potential I suppose is the key thing.”
Despite having a core of their 2023 winning squad will on board, Derry were pushed to the ping of their collar their win over Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final.
A second half showing did the trick. It was the same against Armagh (twice), Kerry and Dublin to get their hands on the Tom Markham Cup again.
“There's different questions and different answers needed in the different days,” McErlain said.
“Every day the boys showed not just the character and the appetite for the game whenever it's the melting pot but the intelligence and the quality that's needed to get over the line to win all irons.
“To win All Irelands everything has to be right. I've learnt that the hard way previously and thankfully we've got it right these two years.”
