Derry defender, Niall Keenan.
By Orla Bannon
Recent results tell the tale of a fading rivalry in the north-west that has lost some of its relevance, and that's a hurtful truth for the current band of Derry footballers.
They have not laid a glove on Tyrone for a long time and the teams' last two Ulster SFC first round meetings in 2016 and 2017, both at Celtic Park, resulted in humiliating 11-point defeats for the home side.
Playing in Division Four this spring, three tiers below the Red Hands, won't help them bridge the gap when they travel to Healy Park in Omagh on Sunday.
Derry defender Niall Keenan, one of the best man markers in the county, admits it hurts to be regarded as such outsiders in a once intense local derby.
“Losing games is never easy,” he says.
“We see Tyrone as a neighbouring county so that rivalry will always be there, but obviously it's not as competitive as it has been in the past.
“Our job is to make it more competitive and come with a lot more fight than we showed the last day (in 2017).”
Derry's last championship win over Tyrone was in 2006 but they have won Ulster minor and Under-20 titles in the last two seasons and the talent is slowly starting to come through.
Derry celebrate after winning the 2018 EirGrid Ulster U-20 Football Final.
A big win for the seniors would send out the message that Derry are on the way back.
“A result would be huge,” admits Keenan, who is back in the fold this year after spending last summer in America.
“Everyone would be very happy to win a game against a quality side like Tyrone and it would bring belief back to the county.
“It would show we're still here working hard.
“Everyone feels positive, there's nothing like having success and the constant winning we've been doing in Division Four can only breed confidence.
“We went into Division Four this year with a goal and we achieved that goal, but obviously Tyrone are playing Division One and obviously are a very experienced and quality side, so we have to be ready for that step up.”
