Derry have arrived at the top table following their Ulster title victory according to the man who raised the Anglo Celt Cup in front of thousands of Oak Leaf supporters last Sunday.
Chrissy McKaigue became the first Derry captain in 24 years to lift the famous trophy - an honour last bestowed on Kieran McKeever back in 1998.
Rory Gallagher’s men certainly had to earn the right to be crowned provincial champions as they had to take down three Division One teams, namely Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal.
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Last Sunday’s arm wrestle with Donegal went to extra-time with Brendan Rogers and Conor Glass landing the vital scores.
Niall Loughlin plundered a goal in the first half, but Donegal responded on the restart with a goal from Odhran McFadden Ferry and the sides were locked on 1-12 each after 70 minutes.
The significance of the win wasn’t lost on McKaigue, who stressed that Derry will need to improve if they’ve designs on making further progress in the All-Ireland series.
“It is a very satisfying way to win an Ulster Championship, beating the three best teams in the province over the last decade,” said McKaigue.
“It doesn’t leave us under any illusions, we can still improve.
“We have arrived at the top table. We also know that this group of players want to push on. There aren’t always going to be easy days and there will be hard days, but you stick with it during the bad days.
“This is hopefully a start, by God we had to start somewhere! That was a huge win for us.
“Each of the three games were different tactically. Donegal were so well attuned tactically and so well conditioned.”
He added: “We had to play a different way and be patient. We were really tested and came in at half-time ahead and Donegal came out and blitzed us at the start of the second half. We showed a lot of character to dig in and that’s another wee test and another step on the ladder.
“We withstood the storm against Monaghan and we withstood the storm against Donegal.
“You aren’t going to win major honours unless you can get through the other team’s purple patch.
“I am very proud of the courage the boys showed. We will need to get better in many aspects, but you can’t coach courage and this group has that.”
Although chants of “we want Sam” rang out among the Oak Leaf faithful in St Tiernach’s Park following Sunday’s historic victory, McKaigue was keen to keep Derry’s achievements in context.
“I think this group of players needed silverware,” said McKaigue.
“Whatever happens from here - who knows?
“I think we’d have been on a bit of a downer going into the All-Ireland series having not won Ulster. That was massive. This group needed to win a major honour for belief more than anything else.”
Gallagher’s men now await their fate in the All-Ireland quarter-finals as Ulster champions.
Last year, few would have predicted that Tyrone would go on to All-Ireland success after their narrow win over Monaghan in the Ulster Final.
Indeed, the Red Hands were as big as 10/1 to lift the Sam Maguire prior to their semi-final win over Kerry.
Derry are now a 10/1 shot for All-Ireland glory and they’ll face one of the Qualifiers in the last eight. Should they win that, they cannot face Leinster champions Dublin or Munster champions Kerry until the All-Ireland final at the earliest.
This weekend, Ulster rivals Armagh and Tyrone clash at the Athletic Grounds while Mayo host Monaghan in Castlebar.
After more than two decades of hurt, McKaigue stated that Derry don’t need to concern themselves with Qualifier draws.
“The games don’t get any easier and that happens naturally as you progress through a competition,” added the Slaughtneil ace.
“The Sam Maguire went down to 16 teams and you are less likely to get so-called easier ties.
“We’ll not worry about the Qualifier route now - we’ve earned the right to be in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
“Over the next few weeks, we’ll prepare for the next game whoever the opposition happens to be.”
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