By Cian O’Connell

Now that a solid foundation has been established, Derry’s Shane McGuigan knows that remaining relevant is vital.

A couple of Ulster SFC titles have been pocketed, but maintaining high standards is vital for the long term development of the game in the county.

McGuigan, an influential figure for Derry, is adamant this challenge must be embraced. “It is something we have talked about - we want to be at the top table for as long as we can,” McGuigan responds.

“To be playing Division One league football for the next five or six years is critical for our development. We want to be challenging for Division One titles and All-Ireland titles.

“We want to be maintaining a solid league campaign every year. Tyrone, Donegal, and Monaghan have been the benchmark in Ulster football for us in the last 10 years.

"I know Donegal dropped out of Division One this year, but they still have players there. Tyrone and Monaghan have been there, maybe they dipped down one year, but they came straight back up again.

“We have to show that consistency, we have only shown it for over a year. We just want to show that consistency - always being in Division One and keeping that level of football. It is the best preparation you can get for the Championship.”

A meaningful connection has been forged between the team and supporters too which is vital according to the prolific McGuigan.

“The Derry supporters wanted something to believe in, as such,” he responds.

“They really wanted to get behind the team. For numerous reasons and you could say excuses that players were making - we will not shy away from that - things weren't happening.”

Making Allianz Football League progress was crucial. “We were down in Division Four, there was no hiding from it, we deserved to be in Division Four,” he adds.

“We didn't see ourselves as a Division Four team. Thankfully from the year we had in Division Four we have gradually built. It hasn't been a complete upward trajectory, we stayed in Division Three for a year and then got promoted.

“We stayed in Division Two for another year and thankfully we have got promoted this year now. So it has been steady and slow progress.

“The fans just wanted something they could see going in that trajectory, I think with the way we play we know 1-15 and 1-20 that they are going to die with their boots on, and leave no stone unturned.

“Derry fans see the energy and the running we do, they see how much we care. The support they show us then is reciprocated. Don't for one second think that we as players don't value that.

“They were in Ballybofey last Sunday, the noise they were making outshone Donegal a lot of the times in the match. We value it a lot and we hope that they get behind us in the next two weeks and hopefully further down the line.”

That the Anglo-Celt was hoisted by Conor Glass in 2023 mattered deeply to Derry. “I think the provincials is something coming under a bit of pressure, I know they are trying to keep the importance of them in some capacity,” McGuigan acknowledges.

“Up in Ulster I think we are maybe a bit selfish, you could say with how competitive, just the whole way the Ulster Championship is laid out.

“Everybody dreams of Clones on Ulster Final day so at the start of the year it is something that we did say we wanted to do, to retain our provincial championship. We saw it as the best way of preparing ourselves for the All-Ireland series. Thankfully we did that.”

Clare are next on the agenda for Derry on June 17. That is when the next step has to be taken. McGuigan and Derry’s journey continues.