Derry Minors have the chance for revenge against Donegal
2023 Ulster GAA Minor Football Championship Playoffs Semi-final
Derry vs. Donegal
Killyclogher, 1pm
Derry and Damian McErlain have a shot at revenge, if not redemption, when they meet Donegal again in the Ulster semi-final in Killyclogher today.
Ever since that disappointing league final defeat to neighbours Donegal, Derry have been simply unstoppable. Five straight wins, all of them emphatic, have come with only the concession of eighteen points.
There’s no silverware yet, of course, and another game before an Ulster Final, but it all augers well for manager Damian McErlain.
It has been very much a case of ‘win or learn’ for McErlain, his coaches and his players.
“We are where we want to be totally,” said the Magherafelt man. “The league final defeat out was a really good day out for us in a sense for what we learned.
There’s nothing like a defeat at minor level to learn and for players to see what needs to happen. The players were like sponges after the league final defeat, in terms of what we are trying to do.
“Since then performances have been decent. The semi-final next was always the target. It will be the biggest game of the year so far because you get to stay in the competition if you get over the line.
“There’s no question that the next game (against Donegal on Saturday) is the biggest,” he continued. “Win it and you open yourself up to two chances. You’re still in the championship, nevermind your target is to win it. Lose it and it’s the end of the season.”
McErlain acknowledged that tougher battles now lie ahead for his talented young players.
“The standard goes up now dramatically. Cavan and Donegal, two of the strongest sides in it, play this evening. Look whoever we get it’s a huge game, the championship starts for real.”
The Derry boss provided can update on a couple of his key men who missed the win over Antrim.
“Cahal (McKaigue) still has a couple of weeks to go yet. Conall (Higgins) was more precautionary today. He tightened up at training on Thursday night and he should be 100% for next week. We just didn’t want to risk him today. But overall we’re in good shape for what lies ahead next.”