Derry face stiff opening test against Monaghan

Monaghan v Derry at Castleblaney, 7-30pm, Wednesday March 18

The players on either team will be pretty familiar with each other having met at under 17 level in the 2023 All Ireland minor final.
That was their fourth meeting that year with Derry winning all four,  but each one was very competitive.
Derry followed up by retaining the title in 2024 so, based on that, manager Damian McErlain has a lot of talent to choose from.
One player who will be missing is Magherafelt’s Karl Campbell who is pursuing a career in American football.
Fortunately, Derry have an able deputy in Slaughneil’s Jack McCloy.
Five of that Derry side is currently in the county senior squad.
But all the emphasis will be an attempt to win an elusive Ulster under 20 title.
This competition has been dominated by Tyrone in recent years and they have beaten Derry in the last two but they were games that Derry had every chance of winning.
Most of the 2023 squad have been making an impression in senior club football where Eamon Young and Oisin Doherty have won county senior medals with Newbridge last season.
Last year, when Derry lost to Tyrone, they were minus two injured key players - Fionn McEldowney and the imposing James Sargent.
That defeat will hurt the players as they were expected to win that game at Owenbeg.
They had to watch as Tyrone went on to retain their All Ireland title.
Monaghan will be backboned by their 2023 under 17 squad where players like Michael Finn, Sean Og McElwane, Mark McGinnity, Chris Jones and Sean O’Connell showed quality.
Derry won that game by 1-13 to 0-9.
Derry are well prepared for the game having been training since Christmas.
Like other counties, the unusually wet winter, which has left grounds soggy, may have interrupted plans.
One area where Derry can get the upper hand is at midfield through the tall pair of Tommy Rogers and Cathal McKaigue, both of whom are related to Brendan Rogers and Chrissy McKaigue.
Elsewhere, the forward line is full of scoring talent: the Newbridge pair of Eamon Young and Oisin Doherty have been scoring freely in senior club football as has Glen’s speedster Johnny McGuckin.
Ger Dillon, another player with two All Ireland minor medals in his pocket, is an exceptional free taker.
Lavey’s brilliant player James Sargent is just back after picking up an ACL last year but he is fully fit and has been training with the Derry seniors.
He is a superb athlete, a future senior star and can play anywhere in the middle third.Add them to players from the 2024 minor team like Dara McGuckin, Rian Collins, the Rocks brothers from The Loup and full back Canavan from Steelstown and it will leave the men in charge with a selection headache.
Monaghan teams play with heart and skill, they will push Derry to the limit, but it is not likely to be enough.
Here are the team line outs from the 2023 minor final.

DERRY:
Karl Campbell; Fionn McEldowney, Francis Murray, Luke Grant; Cahir Spiers (0-1), James Sargent (1-0), Odhran Campbell; Tommy Rodgers, Cathal McKaigue; Eamon Young (0-1), Ger Dillon (0-6, six frees), Johnny McGuckin; Rory Small, Conall Higgins (0-3), Oisin Doherty (0-2).

MONAGHAN:
J Mooney; D Connolly (0-1), C Greenan, C Meehan; A Stuart, T Mallen, J Lynch; M Carolan, S O’Connell; C Jones, M McGinnity (0-3, three frees), S Óg McElwain (0-1); T Quinn, M Finn (0-4, one free), L McKenna.