Chrissy McKaigue remains a key figure for Derry, who contest the Allianz Football League Division Four Final at Croke Park against Leitrim.
By Cian O’Connell
Chrissy McKaigue isn’t getting carried away. The first mission of 2019 has been accomplished by Derry, but McKaigue is adamant that remaining focused is key to the development of Damian McErlain’s team.
Seven Allianz Football League Division Four victories were registered and while McKaigue acknowledges it was important to acquire a winning habit Derry must build on the foundation that has been established during the spring.
“I think for us at this present time, Derry, I hope, have learned not to be looking too far ahead,” McKaigue says. “First things first we had to secure promotion out of this which we did. Yes we won seven games out of seven, but I don't think we were extraordinarily good in all of them games.
“By the same token, last year Derry for a variety of reasons - unavailability of players and Club Championships, whatever else - the reality was Derry football at senior level fell into the habit of getting beat. We haven't played too well in some of the games, but we have always managed to find a way to win.
“We have went away to difficult venues and played in difficult conditions against good teams, big physically strong teams also. We have had to adapt to learn a bit about ourselves, but we have always found a way to win.”
That steely determination to escape from the bottom tier has been evident throughout January, February, and March so a Division Four decider against Leitrim at Croke Park now beckons.
“This year is really about the short term,” McKaigue admits. “We have secured promotion, that is the first box ticked. The second part of the season is to secure some silverware which will be the target this Saturday, I'm sure it will be the same for Leitrim.
Derry footballers Chrissy McKaigue and Brendan Rodgers.
“After we aim to tick to that box we will take it from there. It is just important for Derry now not to get too caught up in looking too far ahead because over the last number of years we have neglected what was in front of us.
“We thought too far ahead and ended up finding ourselves in Division Four. Derry's biggest aim is after this campaign to never find ourselves in this position again, to learn from the mistakes which have been made in the past.
“We understood at the start of the year, whether rightly or wrongly, that Derry would be expected to get promoted from the League and arguably in a League Final. We are looking forward to the challenge that presents itself this Saturday.
“Any time you get to play in Croke Park in a national final is always something you want to be part of as a player. We are respectful that we get the chance to do that and we are respectful of Leitrim. We are definitely focused for the challenge that lies ahead this Saturday.”
McErlain has attempted to blend emerging talent with established footballers in the Derry panel. Promise exists in Derry, but McKaigue believes that an exciting new generation needs to be guided correctly. “I think Derry's aspirations as a county with the underage success of the last number of years - looking at some of the underage and development squads - there is potential,” McKaigue states.
“There is potential to produce a very strong senior team. At the minute it is obviously small steps, but a few players are starting to come into their own, starting to get a bit older and wiser to the requirements to play the inter-county game.
“While we don't want to look too far ahead I still think it is promising that there is potential in Derry, especially amongst the younger ranks for them to come through to become top inter-county players.
Chrissy McKaigue played for Derry in the 2014 Allianz Football League Division One Final.
“Potential is one thing, we have to as a county be prepared to protect them players, nurture them players, and develop them so they can realise their potential. This Saturday hopefully we can look back on to say it was a hugely important year in terms of the development of players.
“When you get to a national final and get the chance to compete for silverware you have to accept that you have to take them opportunities when they come along. There is no guarantee that they come along at all or too often.”
Such an influential figure in Slaughtneil’s rise to prominence McKaigue, who played in the 2014 Allianz Football League Division One Final against Dublin, is busy off the field also.
A teacher in Limavaddy McKaigue is also studying a PhD in Stirling University about how sport can impact on communities. “It is based around GAA and sport and how involvement can improve the lives of those in deprived communities or deprived areas,” McKaigue explains.
“I'm a huge believer that sport can be used as a tool to teach people valuable life lessons, a huge tool in creating cohesiveness among communities, and also a huge tool in giving people a purpose and real value in their lives.
“That is literally what my research will be around, it will target predominantly secondary school level and some primary school, I will touch on some wider aspects outside of education also. I'm still very much in the early days of it, I'm still very much finding my feet, but that is my aim.”
It is another challenge McKaigue will relish.
