Football

Bring on Derry says former Donegal star Diver in wake of Ulster SFC draw

Derry have proved a tough nut to crack for Donegal in the last two years in Championship football Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Derry have proved a tough nut to crack for Donegal in the last two years in Championship football Picture: Margaret McLaughlin Derry have proved a tough nut to crack for Donegal in the last two years in Championship football Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
By Gerry McLaughlin

“Bring it on” That’s the clear message from ex-Donegal great Damian Diver as he reacted to the news that Donegal have been drawn against reigning provincial champions Derry in the first round of the Ulster Senior Football Championship. 

And Diver, who was previously part of Jim McGuinness’s backroom team, does not believe that the fact that McGuinness and Mickey Harte are renewing rivalry makes any real difference. 

“It might be with the supporters of both counties and some onlookers, but it won’t bother Jim or Mickey in the slightest as both are totally focussed winners. It will be between the players of both counties.” 

He added: “I think it is a great draw and will have the team fully focussed from the start. 

“What better motivation could you get than to have Derry in the first game. 

“It will give a whole new impetus to training as well and you can be sure Jim will be making very detailed plans to be successful against Derry. 

Read more:

  • Harte and McGuinness to face off in Ulster SFC after Derry are drawn against Donegal
  • Mickey Harte to be appointed new Derry manager after stepping down in Louth
  • The Second Coming: McGuinness to be named Donegal boss for a second time
Damian Diver does not believe the prospect of facing each other in the first round of the Ulster Championship will have much of an effect on Jim McGuinness or Mickey Harte
Damian Diver does not believe the prospect of facing each other in the first round of the Ulster Championship will have much of an effect on Jim McGuinness or Mickey Harte Damian Diver does not believe the prospect of facing each other in the first round of the Ulster Championship will have much of an effect on Jim McGuinness or Mickey Harte

Donegal’s record against Derry has not been great in recent years. 

They narrowly lost in extra-time in the 2022 Ulster final and were beaten again this year in the All-Ireland SFC group stages with a weakened selection that did not have Jason McGee, Michael Langan or Ryan McHugh. 

But, Diver believes that the return of this vital trio and McGuinness’s ability to get every player to try and wear the county jersey gives Donegal a whole new focus for 2024. 

“I think it is a very good draw and it will get boys focussed straight away and it’s an excellent draw for Donegal. 

“They will have to be at the top of their game and that is no bad thing. 

“It is a great draw and I think Jim and the players will be rubbing their hands as they will be underdogs and with everything to gain. 

“Of course it’s in Celtic Park and Derry are the form team and their supporters will be expecting them to win. Training will have much more meaning now as up to this it was training to get out of Division Two. 

“Beyond that now you will have serious focus against Derry in Celtic Park.  But that’s the level you want to be playing it. 

“Maybe some people outside the group might have been hoping for an easier draw but Derry are the level you need to be at and you would be meeting them anyway sooner or later.  It will be real box office and will attract huge interest.” 

Diver points to emerging young stars like Cian McMenamin of Termon, Finbarr Roarty of Naomh Conaill and Karl Joseph Molloy of Ardara who can gel with Langan, McHugh, McGee, Ciaran Thompson, Daire O’Baoill and Oisin Gallen. 

“The panel will be much stronger this year than last year so Donegal will be a much more formidable force. 

“Derry beat us in Ballybofey last year and had more legs in the second half and were better coached as well. 

“But this will be a very different Donegal side this year.” 

Elsewhere, Clare were drawn to play the winners of Tipperary and Waterford in Munster, while Cork and Kerry will clash in the last four should the Rebels see off Limerick.

In Leinster, Oisin McConville's Wicklow face a trip to Westmeath, Carlow host Wexford, and Longford meet Meath. The winners of those ties face Kildare, Louth, and All-Ireland champions Dublin respectively, with Offaly playing Laois in the other quarter-final.

Kevin McStay's Mayo have been handed a trip Stateside to play New York in the Connacht Championship, where the winners will meet a Roscommon outfit that have shown signs of improvement under Davy Burke.

And finally, Pádraic Joyce's Galway will meet Sligo or Leitrim should they account for London on their travels across the Irish Sea. The draw in full is as follows:

2024 Ulster Championship quarter-finals

Tyrone v Monaghan/Cavan

Down v Antrim

Fermanagh v Armagh

Derry v Donegal

2024 Munster Football Championship semi-finals

Clare v Tipperary/Waterford

Limerick/Cork v Kerry

2024 Leinster Football Championship quarter-finals

Kildare v Westmeath/Wicklow

Louth v Carlow/Wexford

Dublin v Longford/Meath

Offaly v Laois

2024 Connacht Football Championship semi-finals

New York/Mayo v Roscommon

Sligo/Leitrim v London/Galway