They’ve beaten the Ulster champions and the current Sam Maguire holders Tyrone.
However, Derry’s path to a first provincial title since 1998 is hard from straightforward and captain Chrissy McKaigue said they’ll remain grounded following their stunning 11-point win over the Red Hands at Omagh on Sunday.
Division One outfit Monaghan await Derry in the Ulster SFC semi-final on Sunday, May 15. Should the Oak Leaf County reach the provincial decider, they’ll face either another Division One side in the form of Donegal or a Cavan side who lifted the Anglo Celt as recently as 2020.
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Reflecting on Sunday’s remarkable victory, McKaigue remarked: “It was difficult, especially in defence. Marking someone like Darren McCurry. . . he is in unbelievably good form at the minute.
“We are a defensive unit. We’ve been drumming it into our forwards in training over the last number of weeks, if they just had a bit more belief that the ability was there.
“They cut loose today and could have cut loose more. Some of our movement and our youth. . . I don’t think anyone apart from myself and Benny (Heron) are carrying any baggage from years gone past and that definitely helped.
“I just hope now that the players keep going. As special as today is, it is still only a quarter-final. By Jesus, the next one doesn’t get any easier!
“I’m sure apart from Derry celebrating, I’m sure Monaghan will be happy to see Derry in the semi-final too.
“Monaghan are a Division One team and it’s going to be unbelievably hard. If we are going to get any further, our feet will need to be back on the ground fairly shortly.”
As well as holding McCurry to two points from play, McKaigue delivered the type of composed defensive display he usually gives for the footballers and hurlers of his native Slaughtneil. Yet, Derry had leaders all over the pitch at the weekend.
Conor Doherty, who scored two points from play from wing-back, was the Man-of-the-Match, but Conor Glass, Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin, Benny Heron and Gareth McKinless were also outstanding.
Derry missed out on the chance to claim promotion in March despite winning their first five games in Division Two.
Not many predicted they’d upset their high-flying neighbours, let alone dismantle Tyrone in such ruthless fashion.
Yet, McKaigue stressed that Derry never lacked belief and hailed the impact of manager Rory Gallagher.
“With the best will in the world, you only think you’re working hard and you only think you are professional until you become part of this Derry setup the last number of years,” said McKaigue.
“Because the management have brought an unbelievable professionalism and a complete togetherness to a Derry jersey that I have never had in my Derry career.
“Thank God to see it because the younger boys that will be playing for Derry for the next five to 10 years, they now know what it is to be a Derry player doing thing properly.
“That’s a wild good feeling!”
He added: “I’ve never been involved in a Derry team that is as tactically attuned, and that’s one thing that our manager has brought in. Our structure off the ball had to get better.
“We were shipping big scores.
“Our defending was probably very vulnerable at the back. With this Derry team, we know what we’re doing in possession and without possession.
“You’re not going to win anything or beat any of the top teams unless you have them two things on point. (Rory) Gallagher’s tactical nous is first class.”
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