A slim hope for Derry, but it's hope nonetheless

NFL Division One  |  Derry v Mayo  |  Sunday, Celtic Park, 1.30pm

A first win of the season might not even be enough for Derry to stay in Division One.

There is one permutation. Kerry avoiding defeat at home to Armagh and Tyrone turning Donegal over in O’Donnell Park.

Paddy Tally and his time have zero control either. For the Oakleafers, it’s black and white. They have to win. It’s that simple.

Losing four games carries a heavy prize. If only John Daly didn’t get a hand to Ethan Doherty late shot against Galway.

If only they’d prevented one of those late Kerry goals. Had they got hands on more than one of their last five kick-outs in Ballybofey, this week’s debate could’ve been so different.

Derry have played enough football to deserve more than their paltry single point. But a league table never tells any lies.

In terms of personnel, it’s been a tough pre-season for Paddy Tally. And all defensively in an era when the three on three offers up more space to the opponent. At a time when Néill McNicholl was trialled between the posts.

Chrissy McKaigue’s retirement took away 148 games worth of experience. Gareth McKinless is gone for the year. Conor McCluskey went under the knife. Three All-Star defenders.

Brendan Rogers hobbled off against Donegal. Another All-Star. His injury isn’t as bad as first feared but his league looks to be over. Eoin McEvoy was also replaced in the same game.

The glimmers of light have been Paudi McGrogan and Niall Loughlin returning from injury. Marty Bradley has the cut of someone who could cement a place in a Derry defence should all their options be on the table.

Derry could potentially be taking the field on Sunday with just half of the 20 players used in their 2023 All-Ireland semi-final with Kerry. The closest the county came to reaching a first final since 1993. That’s 10 players unavailable.

That’s the task facing Paddy Tally and his management team this week when nothing less than a win will be enough.

Add in their opponents. Mayo have picked up momentum and their two defeats at the hands of Derry will be fresh in their minds. One a championship exit, on penalties.

A Derry spine for Sunday could look like this. Odhrán Lynch. Martin Bradley. Paudi McGrogan. Conor Glass. Anton Tohill. Paul Cassidy. Shane McGuigan.

Speaking after the Donegal game, Tally hinted at Ciaran McFaul and Niall Toner facing a race to be championship ready for April in Ballybofey.

In terms of experience, it leaves Derry down to the bare bones this weekend. Backed into a corner. Watching Mayo in the early stages, you’d have marked this down as a very winnable game.

Derry have thrown away big leads in games against Kerry and Donegal.

Things change. And quickly. Kevin McStay is getting more men back. Aidan O’Shea, Jack Carney and Jack Coyne started their first game against Kerry when they Mayo’ed the Kingdom with energy and the press.

Jordan Flynn has three games since Crossmolina’s campaign. There’s been a return for Sam Callinan.

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But, we’re back where we started. Derry must win. How much can the rest raise their game? How much bite can they generate.

With many of Derry’s fans from the sunny Clones Sundays gone, they’ll be backed by a loyal bunch. The thick and thin bridge.

Sunday is the day Derry need to thicken the thin. Performances are one thing. Results is another. The only show.

There are more reasons to suggest Derry will be relegated than stretching their stay to a third season. The calculator isn’t one of them. For now. It’s still possible.