Manager Ciarán Meenagh hails Derry’s resilient response

At a wintery Newbridge on Saturday evening, Derry made it back-to-back league wins as they dug deep to overcome Kildare in a contest that demanded resilience, composure and no little quality. Buoyed by the previous victory over Tyrone, the Oakleaf supporters travelled in large numbers, hopeful of another positive result.

However, their optimism was tested almost immediately when, with just six minutes played, team captain Conor Glass was shown a red card. The early dismissal left Derry facing an uphill battle for the remainder of the game.

Kildare capitalised on their numerical advantage and, aided by the elements, built momentum as the half progressed. Derry battled hard to stay in touch but went in at the interval four points adrift. With the hosts set to enjoy the breeze in the second half, the challenge appeared even steeper for Ciarán Meenagh’s side.

What followed, though, was a stirring response. Derry emerged with renewed intensity and belief, a moment of magic swung the tie decisively in their favour. Paul Cassidy rifled a stunning goal to ignite the comeback, lifting both teammates and travelling support. Within a minute Lachlann Murray struck for a second major, turning the game on its head and propelling Derry into a lead they would not relinquish. It was a remarkable turnaround forged through work-rate, discipline and clinical finishing at crucial moments.

Derry managed the closing stages with maturity and intelligence to secure an impressive victory under the most testing of circumstances. The final whistle was greeted with understandable relief and satisfaction from players and supporters alike.

Speaking afterwards, manager Ciarán Meenagh admitted to a mixture of emotions. “Relief, pride and very satisfied,” he said. “I am very proud of the lads. We were in a difficult position with our captain red carded so early, two black cards, playing with the breeze and to go in four points down. The breeze picked up in the second half too – that takes some character, guts and leadership and no shortage of quality.”

Attention now quickly turns to the next assignment. Derry return to home comforts on Saturday evening when former manager Mickey Harte brings his Offaly side to Find Insurance Celtic Park (6.00pm) for another important league encounter. “We must dust ourselves down and get ready for the next one,” Meenagh added. “It’s a busy period with another two games in fourteen days.”

Elsewhere, Derry’s camogie side opened their league campaign with a dramatic victory on Saturday afternoon at Celtic Park. Micky Henry’s team trailed by six points with just 11 minutes of normal time remaining but mounted a determined comeback to edge home by the narrowest of margins, 0-16 to 1-12. Sleacht Neill’s Cliodhna Ní Mhianáin struck the decisive score to complete the turnaround. They travel to face Laois this coming weekend.

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Captain Niamh Quinn praised the squad’s resolve afterwards. “A lot of girls were playing their first senior game for Derry out there today. We showed grit and determination. As a team we have gelled and trained really hard and I think our fitness told in the end.”

There was heartbreak in Bray for the ladies footballers, who lost 0-10 to 0-9 in their fourth league outing. Despite a battling display, they came away empty-handed but will look to turn encouraging performances into points when they travel to face unbeaten Carlow on Sunday.