New Derry boss Ciaran Meenagh admitted the Oak Leaf players “have been through a lot” in recent weeks as he reflected on a point gained and a point dropped at Celtic Park.
In their first home game since the departure of Rory Gallagher, Derry were flat and trailed by three points with 10 minutes to go in their All-Ireland series opener.
Monaghan were the better side for long spells but Derry showed the character which has made them back-to-back Ulster champions and reeled off four points on the bounce, including three from Shane McGuigan.
