Rory Gallagher hailed his Oak Leaf heroes as they edged Donegal out after extra-time at Clones on Sunday to land a first Ulster title in 24 years.
It was Derry’s first Ulster final since 2011 and now they will go on to a first All-Ireland quarter-final since 2007.
Derry emerged on a 1-16 to 1-14 scoreline with Brendan Rogers delivering the display of a lifetime, with three points from the full-back line.
Read more: Derry vs Donegal score recap as Rory Gallagher's men are crowned Ulster champions
“It was probably an epic way to win an Ulster Championship and probably quite fitting,” said Gallagher.
“The drama, considering we were playing Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal who have owned the Championship, with the exception of Cavan (2020), for the last 24 years.
“For these players who are bound to have watched on with huge envy and jealousy and have looked on for the last six or seven years - that they were not part of it.
“So to win it the way we did - they showed character. Not a perfect display. But they had character.”
Gallagher says extra-time was all about character.
“Words don’t even matter - that’s being honest,” said Gallagher.
“We felt we were the better team so we had to reprove it again and even the end of normal time we had the chances.
“We came from behind after giving away a shocking goal by our standards.
“We hadn’t conceded a goal against Armagh and Donegal last year and Tyrone and Monaghan this year.
“We didn’t bank on conceding one today but from the throw in, its in the net.
“To show that level of character or balls or whatever you want to call it, I never doubted we’d come back.
“But that doesn’t mean I thought we’d win. You just don’t know.”
Gallagher continued: “Belief comes from your willingness to do the right thing and the right thing in a team environment can be very difficult for players to understand.
“You’ve got to put the team first at all times. That is why we have belief. But you don’t actually have belief then until you’ve got a real feel for Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Gallagher, with the start of the Covid years tricky as he attempted to build a squad.
“It was not an enjoyable experience in the set up and the type of environment we had,” he said.
“But since that time myself and the management team and the County Board realised the talent was there.
“We tried to harness that in the sense of committing to each other in always putting the team first- on the field.
“I’m not talking about off the field, that’s a given. But at training, decision making.
“It’s (county football) a lifestyle choice. If you want to be part of a team sport.
“I believe one of the strengths of us as coaches is we make training attractive, make it something you want to go to.
“That doesn’t mean it is not tough. But there has to be a collective hunger and desire and enjoyment with that.”
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