Derry begin McKenna Cup campaign against Fermanagh tomorrow

Dr McKenna Cup Round 2

Derry v Fermanagh

Sunday, Ederney ,1.30pm

Referee: Conor Curran (Down)

In terms of what’s at stake, Ederney on Sunday is a million miles away from the cauldron of Croke Park and Derry’s All-Ireland exit to Galway last summer.

But every journey has to start somewhere and it was a McKenna Cup win over Fermanagh in Roslea, with seven points from Matthew Downey, that help Derry instil a consistency that helped them build a promotion challenge a later a togetherness on their way to championship glory.

Derry won’t be able to call on any of the Glen players with the county champions going head-to-head with Moycullen in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final.

January is also a busy time with Sigerson football and Ulster rivals Queens’ and Ulster University do battle next Wednesday night, so Rory Gallagher will have to balance his squad.

Goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch, Niall Loughlin and Ben McCarron are on the books of Ulster University with former All-Ireland minor winning captain Matthew Downey list in the Queens’ squad.

There has been a change in the goalkeeping department his season. Glen’s Connlan Bradley has opted out of the panel with Ballinascreen’s Ryan Scullion called up.

The ‘keepers will be under the watch of new coach Ronan Gallagher – brother of Rory – who has taken over after Thomas Mallon opted out of the management team.

The experienced Kevin Johnston has joined the panel after a spell away from the inter-county scene during his time in Australia, with Ballinderry’s Niall O’Donnell – another All-Ireland minor winner – also called up.

The McKenna Cup has always been a place to test out players and Derry have not won the competition since 2011. The closest they came was an extra-time defeat to Tyrone in a dramatic clash during Damian Barton’s tenure.

Sunday’s opponents Fermanagh will have the advantage of last night’s game with Tyrone under their belt, with the Red Hands coming to Owenbeg next Wednesday night in the final group game.

The three group winners will then advance to the semi-finals where they will be joined by the best runner up.

It’s Donnelly’s second year in charge and is using the competition to get a look at the 38 players at his disposal.

Sean Quigley, who scored 5-50 for the Erne County in 2022, won’t be used after an injury and with the league in mind.

Joe McDade missed much of last year’s league and looks set to miss much of this season, with Darragh McGurn also a doubt for the McKenna Cup.

Diarmuid King impressed in Newtownbutler’s junior championship run and will get a taste of county action through the McKenna Cup with Fionan O’Brien of intermediate champions Devenish also going well in training.

Derry’s big picture will be retaining their Ulster title, but going one step further this season in the promotion race will be a priority after the wheels came off against Galway at Owenbeg last season.

The Oakleafers being their campaign at home to Limerick before a visit to Mickey Harte’s Louth. There will be a visit of the Dubs to Celtic Park, with Kildare also a formidable challenge after dropping from the top flight last season.

That’s for later. For now, it’s about finding a few more players. Rory Gallagher built a core of the team last season, with new leaders like Paudie McGrogan, Conor Doherty, Conor McCluskey and Ethan Doherty coming into a cocktail that includes the likes of Gareth McKinless, Chrissy McKaigue and Brendan Rogers.

Sunday gives Derry fans a chance to see what new faced can put their hand up for a seat on board Derry’s 2023 bandwagon