‘That Difficult Second Album’ - Derry Masters: A Year In Review

Derry’s first year back in Masters football, 2023, was certainly one to remember. Masters football (over 40s), of course, is for men of a certain vintage. For players with a few too many miles on the clock. The tired legs may be a tad slower than when once in their prime, but the heart pumps as strongly as ever.

And, of course, it offers the opportunity to represent the greatest county in the country if not the world – Derry. To pull that hallowed (non-player fit) red and white ganzi over the head and watch your chest expand with pride – the silken folds of privilege most of us will never know. To do yourself, your family and your county proud. And to rage, rage against the dying of the light!

Our aim last season was very modest in that inaugural year back. We just wanted a piece of the action. We wanted to compete; to learn and improve in our rookie year. To see if we, in Derry, could go toe to toe with the best in the country in this more senior grade. To basically not affront ourselves. Sure even a clowns car runs in a straight line once in a while.

But, in truth, we surpassed our own hopes. An excellent league campaign, with just one league defeat, and an All-Ireland Intermediate title excelled our wildest dreams. In the bright Masters sky, the Derry comet soared.

As the 2023 season slipped into 2024 we now faced the tricky task of making that ‘difficult second album’. Keen to swerve the dreaded sophomore slump, we recruited well bringing in added attacking fire power in Drum’s Rory O’Reilly, Drumsurn legend Ciaran ‘Banty’ Mullan and Banty’s elusive brother-in-law Marty Donaghy. All three ace forwards are hardwired to entertain. And to win.

Darren Conway brought his buddy Raymond ‘Crook’ Wilkinson up from Ballinderry. Ambassador we were indeed spoiled.

Our defence was strengthened too with the addition of Swatragh powerhouse and former Derry minor Philip Mooney and Glack titan Eddie McLaughlin. A cousin of ‘Wee Jimmy’, Ned may lack Jimmy’s pace but he’s a smart footballer and, along with Philly the pair of them could tumble the walls of Jericho on any given day.

Glenullin team-mates Gerard O’Kane and James McNicholl brought added class and legs to this year’s squad. Gerard’s two goals in a ‘must win’ away game to Galway will live long in Masters folklore.

The Derry team that defeated Cork in the All-Ireland Shield Final

Buoyed with enthusiasm and the confidence that we could compete with the best, our mission was immediately hampered, however, with the loss of Paul McFlynn to Mickey Harte’s backroom team. A persistent hamstring issue robbed us of the great Paddy Bradley before man mountain Seamie O’Kane was also struck down by injury. Goalkeeper Brian Scullion and a few other key players from 2023 struggled with injury, underage coaching commitments and nagging wives. Faughanvale’s Joe Grey wrestled most of the season with a troublesome calf and overdue VAT returns, before coming good just in time for the All Ireland final.

A shiny new management team was brought in with big shoes to fill. Declan ‘Honda’ Mullan, Enda O’Hagan, Sig Doherty along with ‘stats masta’ Frankie Davey would be the new dream team to guide us forth. All four can now be spotted sailing ‘round the country in swanky new BMWs.

The great Kevin McGuckin would wear the captain’s armband that ‘Wee Jimmy’ wore with such distinction the previous year, but with a firm warning not to be caught rolling pre-match cigarettes round the back of the changing room with his predecessor.

Feeny’s finest Paul Cartin and Brian ‘Tiddles’ Mullan would be the 2024 Vice Captains. And with Pearse ‘Clean Sheet’ McCallan now between the sticks we were in good shape to begin our new campaign.

Kevin McGuckin receiving the All-Ireland Shield

Our first league match of the year was a run to Pearse Og Park to take on an Armagh side we had never faced before. Derry Masters produced a barnstorming finish to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in their opening league fixture away to Armagh.

We trailed by two at half-time, and found themselves 2-9 to 0-11 behind by the 55th minute. But the Oakleaf men dug deep to hit an unanswered 2-1 in the last five minutes to finally stretch their necks over the line. Debutant Raymond Wilkinson’s 56th minute penalty and Marty McGuiness’s 58th minute goal proved the key scores for Derry’s come from behind win. Both men were brilliant for us this season.

Derry made it two wins from two after a traditionally tough tussle with neighbours Donegal on the wrong side of Jim McGuinness’ Convoy wall. Goals either side of half time from that man Crook and Ciaran ‘Papa’ McIvor cemented unbeaten Derry’s win who were forced to dig deep against a very well-conditioned and combative Tír Conaill outfit.

Injury-plagued Derry suffered their first league defeat of the season at sunny St. Canice’s Park, however. Two second half goals proved the difference between these two well matched sides, with the reigning All Ireland Senior Champions Tyrone once again showing why they are the standard-bearers in Masters Football. God damn them!

Derry got back to winning ways at Glen next time out, defeating a very competitive Cavan outfit by three points. Free-taker Eunan Murphy top scored with four points, with Raymond Wilkinson hitting three. Rory O’Reilly and Gerard O’Kane also accounted for two scores apiece as the Oakleafers withstood a late Breffni fight back.

The All-Ireland Shield

Derry Masters then produced a ballsy display built on hard work, team ethic and belief to defeat Galway by five points on the road next. Missing as many as a dozen starters due to injury, holidays and work commitments, the walking wounded Oakleafers made the long run south with the bare bones of a side. And while nobody offered them much hope of toppling a well-seasoned Galway outfit, Derry dug deep to battle their way to a hard fought and vital win.

But after that solid start to the league, the wheels of the season threatened to come off when a heavily depleted Derry side lost away to Antrim. The defeat dropped us into the Intermediate Championship, but offered us a shot at redemption when the fixture computer paired us once more with Antrim come Championship time.

The hurt would be harnessed. Indeed, revenge would be a dish best served cold in Swatragh as Derry returned to the All-Ireland Intermediate final for a second successive season completing a dramatic come from behind victory over Antrim in a breathless All Ireland Intermediate semi-final war.

Derry trailed by a point as the game entered stoppage time. But a crucial Marty Donaghy point levelled matters and took us to extra-time.

The Oakleaf men finally found something like top gear in extra-time, hitting six of the last seven points in ten minutes to finally sweep aside Antrim’s stubborn challenge. It was no more than the reigning champions deserved, with a final appearance against Cork now on the near horizon.

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As with the previous season, Derry were pretty outstanding come the big final, playing our best football of the year to decimate confident Cork. The Oakleafers had turned on the style in the Capital in September to retain their All Ireland Intermediate Shield title.

The champions produced a display for the ages and led this game from gun to tape. ‘Papa’ McIvor and ‘Crook’ Wilkinson scored the Derry goals in either half but in truth this was well oiled team performance with nine different scorers and any number of men raising their hands when he came to ‘man of the match’ candidacy.

Eunan and Gareth Murphy

Reports of record takings at St Peregrine’s social club in the post-match celebrations cannot be confirmed, but what is undeniable was the craic on the big Yellow Bus all the home never cooled. In a rollercoaster year for Derry football, Derry Masters have once again concluded the season with another All Ireland trophy.

Difficult second album in the can, we go again next season…

#DoireAbu