By Cian O'Connell

** **

Positive minor results don't arrive with any senior guarantees, but optimism exists in Derry again.

Throughout the decades Derry teams have consistently competed at Post Primary, underage, and club level.

So winning two and losing one of last three Ulster Minor Finals ensures there is a real drive and desire in the county once more.

Damian McErlain's work with the minors has been acknowledged and he will take charge of the senior team in 2018.

Derry GAA Coaching and Games Manager Chris Collins acknowledges that significant work has been carried out. "We set out over a decade ago to modernise our coaching structures within the county, I suppose," Collins says.

"Post 1993, when we won the senior All-Ireland for the first time, there's a feeling that the county rested on its laurels a small bit.

"It goes back to the grassroots - to the clubs and schools. We have good links there with the county coaches and there's great energy at club level.

"Having Owenbeg as a centre for participation has helped bring the county together. Derry clubs have always been strong, but I think we're just working a bit harder than we had been before, and possibly a bit smarter as well. There's always room for improvement, though, and that's something we need to keep working at."

In the 31 man panel 13 different clubs are currently represented. That is another encouraging sign.

"Traditionally when Derry minor teams have done well, that has always been the case, so that's a fair point," Collins admits. "You can't rely on four or five clubs to progress a county. At Go Games level we are encouraging all clubs to participate at "A" Grade which is certainly challenging and improving players.

"I suppose where we've struggled in the past is to bring that wide spread of talent, players from Junior or Intermediate clubs, through to inter-county senior level. That's something we are trying to address for sure through our development squads and Academy."

McErlain's progression has been noted in Derry and Collins is adamant that the emerging coaches in Derry can maintain the high standards being set.

"Damian has done an excellent job," Collins states. "He's very much part of a tight group of coaches and selectors. They're nearly all progressing to the senior job with him. Killian Conlan, for example, coached Derry minors when we were last in the All-Ireland final in 2007. Gavin McGeehan played that day.

"They're all part of the group. Their dedication and commitment to Derry teams at underage level has been superb. I've no doubt they'll help to create the environment which gives these young footballers, and our existing seniors, the chance to be the best that they can be."

At the moment Derry have 17 coaches working in their coaching games programme. Collins feels there is scope to make further improvements. "They are mostly working with primary schools, but we are also assisting at secondary level," Collins explains.  "We need to grow that further, especially in urban areas.

"For many kids, their first introduction to organised Gaelic games is often through their primary schools.

"So, that was our initial focus and it will remain so. We recruit good coaches and let them do their job. I oversee and manage that best I can, but we also allow room for creativity there too.

"We're always preaching club-school links and in fairness the clubs have been excellent at embracing that concept and driving it on.

"The standard of football is quite high at underage level in Derry, but we always have to be mindful of real development. In terms of skills and physical development it's not all about winning at underage level. There has to be a long term view and also an element of fun. There's no point if it's not fun."

Younger players in Derry are beginning to believe that the Oak Leafers can be successful once more; that is a help.

"If we don't believe we can be successful then we won't be, it's as simple as that," Collins adds.

"But we've no right to win things. Everything has to be earned and the players need to understand that. No-one is under any illusions about that. At grassroots level, particularly at underage, Derry football is now as strong as it ever was and that's coming to the fore now with the minor teams.

"However, there's a long way to go and there is massive untapped potential still within the county. It's often been said that 'on our day' Derry teams can beat anyone and there would still be that belief in the county."

Considering Derry's rich Hogan and MacRory Cup history, talented footballers will always be crafted. "St. Columb's in Derry started winning Hogan and McRory titles back in the mid-60's," Collins says.

"That gave rise to a generation of people like Eamonn Coleman and Adrian McGuckin, who went on to inspire many others.

"Derry City and other urban centres in the county are beginning to develop now in terms of producing fine clubs and players to play for Derry.

"But there is lots more to do. Schools football and club football is vastly different to modern inter-county senior football and it's difficult to draw a straight line between them all, although many people do.

"There is definitely renewed hope and belief within the people working on the ground in the county. People sometimes comment that the strength of Derry clubs impedes the county team. But I don't subscribe to that at all. Derry's no different from any other county and it's just an excuse which is often used.

"Our clubs are our strength and our players want to win with Derry as much as any players in any other county in Ireland. We just have to create the conditions for that to take place. We have to start to do justice to the work that goes on at grassroots level."

The graft continues and hope is rising.