Rory Gallagher says Derry starting from scratch again ahead of Longford restart

Gallagher has used the seven months since Derry lost out to Cork on March 1st to reassess his squad and back-room team, streamlining his playing panel and bringing in new faces behind the scenes after lockdown allowed for a period of reflection on how best to move Derry forward.

As a result Tyrone native Peter Hughes, a qualified physio, comes in as strength and conditioning coach with Ballinascreen’s Paul Burns as physiotherapist. Anne Marie Mulholland, who works with Ulster Rugby, comes in as a nutritionist; Hugh Gallagher, who captained Omagh St Enda’s against Slaughtneil in the 2014 Ulster Club final, is the new team doctor and Loup keeper Thomas Mallon steps back from playing to become Gallagher’s new goalkeeping coach.

There are changes on the playing front too with Paul McNeil back in alongside Ethan Doherty, who joins brother Jack and Alex, and Peter Cassidy now part of a smaller panel which Gallagher believes will suit the Oak Leafers as they look to build.

“In a really crazy way, having been involved for a long number of years and after getting a bit frustrated with the start of the season, I was glad to get the break,” revealed the Derry manager, “It gave me a massive opportunity to look at where we were in Derry as a squad. We had too many players that weren’t of the right character, too many players maybe not up to it, but I’m really, really looking forward to getting back at it. The hunger is greater than ever.

“It’s starting from scratch. I think we have used the time well in the sense that we have a new backroom team in place and have identified the right type of players that we want to move forward with over the next number of years. There has been just too much inconsistency of selection in Derry in my opinion.”

And it’s evident from his backroom revamp, that Gallagher wants individuals with experience of sport at the highest level.

“That’s something I was looking to do,” he explains, “I was looking to bring more people who are used to a dressing room at the highest level. On a personal level, that’s who I like working with the players. Myself and the management team can trust that they are reinforcing everything we want while still having their own individual characteristics. It is Derry’s and my own responsibility to give the players the absolute best opportunity we can to be the best footballers and best athletes they can be.”

The rebuild starts with Longford’s somewhat reluctant visit to Celtic Park this weekend for a game which is essentially a championship warm-up for both counties who would require a major collapse from Down to stand any chance of promotion.

“Form has gone out the window so we’re simply looking to put our best foot forward and try to show a massive improvement, which I feel we need to,” adds Gallagher, “We’ve only had a handful of sessions with everyone together but I’m starting to really enjoy what I’m seeing. Now we have to go out and produce that between the white lines at the weekend.

“Hand on heart, we all expect Cork and Down to go up. That’s been the case probably since Down defeated us in Newry and particularly after Cork beat us but, look, we just want to move forward. We want to make sure we beat Longford and make sure we carry momentum into the week after.”

A number of high profile players such as Ryan Bell, Niall McKeenan and Conor McAtamney are no longer with the panel this season but while Gallagher was a frequent face at the recent club championship, he revealed his presence wasn’t always to scout prospective talent.

“I’ll be honest, I was going to games and my whole intention, I wasn’t really looking for new talent. I was going looking to see the players that I wanted back and that the management team wanted back, particularly the top 10 or 12 players. If you look at Dublin - any top team, Donegal, Monaghan - they play the same core 10 or 11 every game and I wanted to see those core fit and playing really, really well and I’m confident I saw that the majority of the time.

“You’re also looking at your next 10 or 11 to see what sort of form they are in. Are they in good shape? Are they working hard? Are they injury free?

“That was a big plus and then to see players like Enda Lynn back fully fit, delighted to see some young talent in the likes of Ethan Doherty, I thought he was outstanding in some of the games he played. From that point of view, Odhran Lynch, it was only his first year in goal and he has done some exceptional things.

“Look, I could go on and name a lot of players. I was delighted to see Paudie (Cassidy) back playing. There is a lot of talk about Shane (McGuigan) and I’m delighted to see him.

“Chrissy (McKaigue) is maybe a player a lot of people take for granted. He played for us in the early part of the year carrying an injury, coming straight off a long campaign, hurling as well and I thought he was a revelation in the championship. He looked fresh, he looked stronger and fitter than ever and that’s a massive plus for us.

“Brendan Rogers is another. Every time you see him play it’s with a smile on his face. The point he scored in the club final, very few full backs in the country can do that. There were loads of examples and I was glad to see the players who we feel as a management team can bring us forward going really well.”