Derry GAA go 'back to the future' with new retro style jersey

Derry GAA have gone ‘back to the future’ with a smart, new retro style jersey that incorporates the name of every club in the Oak Leaf county.
By Michael Wilson
Published 6th May 2021, 16:00 BST
Updated 6th May 2021, 20:04 BST
(From left) Martin Collins, Director H&A Mechanical, Carlus McWilliams, Stephen Barker, Derry County Chairman, Anne McWilliams, Maureen Quinn (nee McWilliams) at the launch of the new Derry 2021 GAA jersey.(Photograph: Margaret McLaughlin)(From left) Martin Collins, Director H&A Mechanical, Carlus McWilliams, Stephen Barker, Derry County Chairman, Anne McWilliams, Maureen Quinn (nee McWilliams) at the launch of the new Derry 2021 GAA jersey.(Photograph: Margaret McLaughlin)
(From left) Martin Collins, Director H&A Mechanical, Carlus McWilliams, Stephen Barker, Derry County Chairman, Anne McWilliams, Maureen Quinn (nee McWilliams) at the launch of the new Derry 2021 GAA jersey.(Photograph: Margaret McLaughlin)

The 2021 jersey, launched yesterday in conjunction with O’Neill’s, is a throw back to the traditional shirts worn in the late ‘80s which have always been popular with Gaels across the county. It’s is a point which has been borne out across the #DerrysGreatestJersey competition with the County Board have been running across all their social media channels over recent weeks.

Derry fans have been voting in their hundreds with the 1987 edition, upon which the new short is based, edging out the famous 1993 All Ireland winning top as the county’s No. 1 shirt.

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And in a modern twist on a classic design, the traditional red sash the wraps the new 2021 jersey has been designed to include the new of every Derry club, alongside the initials ‘H McW’, a poignant tribute one of the county’s greatest supporters, Hugh McWilliams of H&A Mechanical, who tragically died last year

Dominic McKinley and Cormac Donnelly’s senior hurlers will be the first county team to appear in the new shirt when they open their Division 2B campaign in Mayo this Sunday and Derry Chairman Stephen Barker says they have been delighted with the response to the new shirt.

“It is a modern take on one of Derry’s most popular and traditional jerseys,” explained Mr Barker, “We are delighted with how it has turned out and hopefully the supporters will enjoy backing the county in the new shirts.

“We wanted to return to the traditional design of the Derry shirt, something which gives people a sense of history and of the Derry teams of the past.

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“One of my favourite aspects of the new design was including the name of every club in the county on the shirt. That’s important to us because this jersey represents every club and every Gael in the count, it is not about one team or one group.

Derry players Conor Doherty, Odhran Lynch and Conor Glass in the new 2021 Derry jersey which was launched by O’Neill’s today. (Photograph: Margaret McLaughlin)Derry players Conor Doherty, Odhran Lynch and Conor Glass in the new 2021 Derry jersey which was launched by O’Neill’s today. (Photograph: Margaret McLaughlin)
Derry players Conor Doherty, Odhran Lynch and Conor Glass in the new 2021 Derry jersey which was launched by O’Neill’s today. (Photograph: Margaret McLaughlin)

“The county team belongs to every one of us. To see the name of every club on a player representing the county gives that sense of ownership.

“We also thought it fitting to pay tribute to Hugh. He was one of Derry GAA’s biggest supporters, with no task ever too small for Hugh to help with and while the H&A logo remains as recognisable as ever on the front, it’s nice to see that personal touch of Hugh’s initials appearing alongside the clubs.

“Let’s hope the various teams can enjoy plenty of success in the new jersey,” he added.

Related topics:Derry

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