Derry U20 hurling manager Ryan O'Neill still upbeat despite heavy defeat

Ryan O'Neill struck an upbeat tone despite his side’s heavy 2-25 to 0-13 defeat to Down in Belfast on Saturday afternoon.

The Derry under-20 boss acknowledged the scale of the loss but insisted his young panel remain firmly on track as they turn their attention to the All-Ireland B Championship.

The Oakleafers arrived on the banks of the Lagan knowing that victory could yet propel them into the top two and secure a place in the provincial final, with the added incentive of a potential berth in the Leinster Under-20 Championship. O’Neill’s men endured a mixed Ulster campaign, recording wins over Wicklow and Donegal either side of defeats to Tyrone and Antrim.

Ultimately, however, a bigger and more physically imposing Mourne outfit proved too strong on the day. Down now advance to face Antrim in the provincial decider, while Derry, who finished third ahead of Tyrone, Donegal and Wicklow, will regroup and prepare for the All-Ireland B competition, a tournament O’Neill guided them to glory in in 2023.

Despite Saturday’s disappointment, the Kevin Lynch’s clubman remains confident that his developing side can compete for national honours in the coming weeks. He believes the experience gained during the Ulster campaign will stand to his players as they continue their progression.

“We were disappointed with the performance. Not taking anything away from Down, they were very big and physical,” O’Neill admitted. “A lot of our lads have a couple of years left at this grade and are just starting their journey, and that gap in physicality showed.”

“We knew that the All-Ireland was a path we’d likely be going down because we just knew that we weren’t strong enough between our age profile and physicality, especially with some of their lads playing at senior level,” he said.

“Players know that we’re only halfway through our season. We hoped to get to the Ulster final, but it just didn’t happen.

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“Now it’s time to dust ourselves down and go again. It’s business as usual this week, back into training, reset and prepare for the All-Ireland.”

The All-Ireland B Championship is set to commence towards the end of March and operates on a straight knockout basis.

Last year, O’Neill’s side exited at the semi-final stage following a thrilling 4-15 to 2-16 defeat to eventual champions Down in Owenbeg. In 2023, however, the Foylesiders went all the way to capture their first-ever title, a landmark success for hurling in the county.

O’Neill believes that the 2023 triumph provided a significant lift to the sport locally and helped lay the foundations for further provincial success the following year in 2024.

With roughly two-thirds of the current Derry panel still eligible at under-20 level next season, he views another strong All-Ireland run as a potential springboard for sustained progress.

“I think back to winning it in 2023; that was a massive boost for Derry hurling. It helped recruitment the following year, and we won Ulster the year after,” he reflected.

“If we can get through this campaign and try to win it again, our boys will be another year down the road next year. That would set us up well to give Ulster a real crack again.

“From where we are now to where we started, we’re happy with how the group has developed and with the work that’s being done,” he said. “We’ll be going into the Under-20 B hoping to be in the mix come the business end.

“The lads are getting more confident every day. They wear the Oakleaf badge with pride. Our job is to produce as many hurlers as we can for the Derry seniors, get them into the system, develop them and keep that conveyor belt moving.

“Our season isn’t over; we’re just kicking off the second half of it now.”