Pictured is Derry senior footballer, Brendan Rogers, who has teamed up with Allianz today to look ahead to the upcoming Allianz Football League Division 1 Final this weekend. This year, during their 32nd year sponsoring the both the competition, Allianz has been campaigning for children and young people to #StopTheDrop and remain involved in sport when transitioning from primary to secondary school. For more information visit https://www.allianz.ie/stopthedrop
By Cian O’Connell
In 2019, Brendan Rogers featured in Derry’s Allianz Football League Division Four Final win over Leitrim at Croke Park.
Five years later the Slaughtneil clubman remains an influential figure for Derry. A lot has happened in the intervening days.
Three league promotions and two Ulster SFC titles are merely part of the story. Ultimately, Rogers is just delighted to be involved in an exciting stint for Mickey Harte’s outfit. “Big time, I'm unfortunately one of those guys that is privy to those days in Division Four when it wasn't as pleasant to go to watch us,” Rogers reflects.
“We were there on merit. I guess one of the good things about it is that we knew where we were at. We knew we would have to get out on merit, to develop that level of consistency, to improve.
“That is what has been the good thing about it, the enjoyable part of the journey for us: when you know you're putting in the work, you can see the progression. We are making steps along the way.”
Derry’s journey continues, next Sunday’s Allianz Football League Division decider at Croke Park a real challenge to be embraced. “To get ourselves back into Division One within five years, it is quite a good position to be in,” he adds. “It is nice to be able to reflect back, to think that is where you were.
“It keeps you grounded, to let you know that you can always go back there, just as quick again. That is a good motivating factor for anyone.
“For the younger lads that are lucky not to have seen it, you can give them that reminder - don't get too far ahead of yourself. That is a possibility when you let things slip. It is a good motivator.”
Brendan Rogers remains an influential figure for Derry. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Derry’s improvement illustrates what can be achieved. Rogers, though, highlights the work carried out at club, schools, and underage inter-county level. “There are a few factors in it,” he says about Derry’s rise.
“Yes, our standards have improved, how we approached the games is a lot better. The team, in itself, in terms of personnel has been a lot more consistent. On the flip side the structures in Derry have got a lot better.
“You have to look at the involvement at clubs in U16s, minor tournaments. Glen have won an Ulster minor, Bellaghy have won, Dungiven have won. Again winning Ulster at U20s. Then looking at the inter-county scene, winning two minor All-Irelands, a few Ulsters, and U20s.
“You look at the representation Derry colleges have at winning MacCrory and Hogan level. For a long period of time Derry has had strong representation. So, those players are now filtering towards senior level.”
Talented footballers are being crafted. “The profile of player has come in with a winning mentality,” Rogers remarks.
Of course, then when they are coming into our set-up, they are constantly adding to it all of the time. From that transition in Division Four - Shane (McGuigan), Conor Doherty, and the likes had just come on to the panel.
"We just grew year on year since. The likes of Lachlan Murray, Matthew Downey, Eoin McEvoy, Donnacha Gilmore from that last All-Ireland minor team have now stepped in too. You can see players grow over time.
“So, it is a multi factorial thing. The original group, getting out of Division Four, added to those guys coming in, it has helped boost us on a little bit more.
Gavin Devlin and Mickey Harte have guided Derry into the 2024 Allianz Football League Division One Final. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
“You're now getting players with no baggage - they don't understand what it is like to have lost to any of those teams. It is a brilliant one to have for them, but it is a good representation about how we have grown and developed. It is nice to finally get out the other side for a while.”
Mickey Harte and Gavin Devlin are contributing to the 2024 adventure. “Mickey is just a winner - you can obviously tell that from how he speaks and how he conducts himself,” Rogers replies.
“So, to keep that winning edge it is in his personality. You feed off his energy, that way. I think everyone knew what Gavin Devlin would bring as a coach too. He was involved with Slaughtneil for a couple of years, he was involved with Newbridge for a couple of years. He has been in and out of Derry football a number of times.
“Everyone is familiar with what he can offer, with how good he has been. You only have to look at Louth and Tyrone, how they have been. You knew you were getting quality.
“Once you get it, you get to see it, and obviously they get their hands on the players in general. The quality then starts to show, it is exciting for us, now, definitely.”
Now the challenge for Derry is to remain relevant. “Consistency is the key there,” Rogers says. “Proving ourselves that we can compete and win trophies in Ulster, that was the first step. To then repeat that, to stay at that consistent level, it was another one.
“The step up now to Division One. Again, we had to show we were going to be able to stay and compete in Division One, at the top level, all of the time. That is certainly a factor, we are always aware that you have to keep producing week on week.
Developing that level and standards where we are going to compete for All-Irelands all of the time, that is the next step. That is where we are at, that is what we are driving for.”
