DERRY FLAIR

Meenagh has his Oak Leaf purring after a disastrous 2025 that ended winless

- BY PADDY TIERNEY

AFTER going a full season without winning a game, Derry have finally clicked into gear and are motoring nicely under new manager Ciaran Meenagh.

The Oak Leafers were winless in 2025 before suffering a three-point loss to Meath in round one of this season's League at Croke Park.

However, they have since gone on a four-game victory streak that includes 23 and 20-point winning margins against Offaly and Cork to top the Division Two table on scoring difference ahead of the Rebels and the Royals.

There were lots of aspects that pleased Meenagh following Sunday’s facile 1-31 to 0-14 win over Cork in Celtic Park and he feels there is a buzz in the camp that wasn't there at the beginning of the year.

“It’s all about winning. It’s a fair bit easier when you're winning, isn't it? And that develops confidence,” said Meenagh.

“Probably in our last game or two I felt now we were starting to see that dirty diesel washed out of the system that has been there.

“Because I'm telling you now, those lads have come through a lot in the last two years and the pressure and everything that goes with that.