Encouraging signs for Derry's young hurlers

Last weekend saw the curtain come down on the provincial campaigns of the Derry under-20 and minor hurlers in what has been a mixed but encouraging spell for Ryan O'Neill's and Danny McGrellis’ respective panels.

The under-20s finished third in the Ulster Under-20 Hurling Cup round-robin, behind Antrim and Down but ahead of Tyrone, Donegal and Wicklow. That placing ended their hopes of reaching the provincial decider, with Antrim and Down now set to contest the final for a place in the Leinster Under-20 Hurling Championship. The pair face off on Wednesday evening at the Queen’s University Dub Pavilion, with a 7.30pm throw-in.

The winners will advance into the main Leinster championship, while the losers will drop into the newly formed Leinster B competition. Antrim enjoyed a strong run in Leinster last year, narrowly losing to Dublin in the preliminary quarter-final, and they will be eager to return. It is also a repeat of last year’s Ulster decider, when Down pushed the Saffrons early on before Antrim eventually pulled clear for a 1-25 to 1-13 victory.

For O’Neill’s Derry side, the campaign was one that could easily have taken a different turn. A last-gasp opening night defeat to Tyrone immediately put them on the back foot in the standings, but they responded impressively. A comprehensive 12-point win over Wicklow restored confidence, followed by a dominant 5-12 to 1-12 victory over neighbours. Donegal that showcased the attacking threat within the squad.

There will, however, be lingering regrets over what might have been. Derry ran Antrim to the pin of their collar in Round 4 at Celtic Park, producing one of their most disciplined and energetic displays of the competition. A late surge from the Saffrons ultimately secured a 0-19 to 1-11 win, but O’Neill and his players will feel that game was theirs to be taken.

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A more physically imposing Down side proved too strong in the final round, easing past the Oakleafers and confirming Derry’s participation in the All-Ireland Under-20 B Championship, a competition they won for the first time in 2023. Despite that setback, there remains a sense of long-term progress within the group.

Significantly, almost two-thirds of the current squad will be eligible again next season. That continuity offers real promise. The breakthrough All-Ireland B triumph in 2023 provided a major boost for hurling in the county and acted as a springboard for Derry’s subsequent Ulster title success in 2024.

O’Neill is acutely aware of the wider importance of success at this level.

“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 said.

“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.”

The All-Ireland Under-20 B Championship is run on a straight knockout basis, beginning at the quarter-final stage. It will commence one week after the conclusion of the Leinster Championship, on the weekend of March 28.

Derry’s journey in last year’s competition ended in dramatic fashion at the semi-final stage. They fell to eventual champions Down in a thrilling 2-16 to 4-15 encounter at Owenbeg, a contest that underlined both their attacking quality and defensive vulnerabilities.

Down went on to claim their third Richie McElligott Cup and a second in succession with a 1-22 to 4-11 victory over Tyrone in the decider, further highlighting the strength of Ulster hurling at this grade.

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At minor level, Danny McGrellis’ under-17 side endured a disappointing provincial campaign, ultimately finishing second from bottom in the standings behind Antrim and Wicklow.

A nine-point defeat to a physically imposing Wicklow outfit in the opening round immediately left Derry chasing momentum. The Oakleafers struggled to cope with their opponents’ power and direct running game, and while there were promising passages of play, they were unable to claw back the early deficit.

To their credit, McGrellis' side responded impressively in Round Two. A disciplined and spirited performance in Belfast saw them secure a 1-15 to 2-10 victory over Down.

However, a final-round victory over Antrim was always going to represent a significant challenge. The Saffrons underlined their quality with a commanding 3-19 to 1-13 win, pulling away decisively as the game wore on. While Derry battled throughout, Antrim’s greater physicality and clinical finishing ultimately proved the difference.

As a result, Antrim and Down progress to the Tier 2 Leinster Minor Hurling Championship, where they will have an opportunity to reach the main Leinster round-robin series. For Derry, attention now turns to the Celtic Challenge, which gets underway in the first week of April. The competition offers a valuable platform for continued development, giving this young squad further exposure and a chance to build momentum after a difficult provincial outing.