Damian McErlain’s Derry Minor squad have sights set on more Ulster glory

With the county’s senior team having captured the last two Ulster titles and Glen having taken delivery of the Ulster and All-Ireland Club crowns, the Oak Leaf county has had good to reason to celebrate.

But with Mickey Harte’s outfit having been denied the chance to make it a hat-trick of provincial titles and the Under-20 side having fallen victims to Tyrone in Wednesday night’s provincial Final — albeit after a penalty shootout — it is now left to Damian McErlain’s Minor squad to make their bid for provincial glory.

Last year, Derry won the Ulster and All-Ireland titles at this level and there is now an expectation that they can repeat this double coup but, on the evidence of the Championship to date, that will not be easily achieved.

Nonetheless, the Oak Leaf representatives are primed for a crucial Group A showdown with Armagh at Owenbeg on Saturday.

While there is no shortage of talent within the Derry line-up, Armagh are also not short on skill and flair.

Derry will look to players such as Padraig O’Kane, Ruairi Biggs and James Sargent to spark their momentum, while Armagh for their part will place their faith in Eoin Duffy, Diarmuid O’Rourke, Jack Loughran and Daithi O’Callaghan.

Donegal and Monaghan will meet at Ballyshannon, where the home side will pin their hopes on Paddy Ward and Conor McCahill in particular, while Monaghan will lean on Senan Henry, Killian Kearns and Cian Rafferty.

Cavan will be at home to Antrim at Kingspan Breffni and will look to Joshua Sheehu and Nathan Quigley to set the tone for their performance, while the Saffrons can derive encouragement from Daire Higgins, Cormac Trainor and Liam McKernan.

Down will host Fermanagh at Newry but with both sides unlikely to be in the running for honours, the fare on offer may be curtailed. However, the Mourne outfit have capable performers in Darragh Poland, Paul McGivern and Liam Blaney, while Fermanagh can look to Odhran McGovern and Michael Duffy.