FANTASTIC 4
Rogers part of Derry quartet who dragged Oak Leaf men off their knees from bottom tier
BRENDAN ROGERS is one of four survivors from the Derry team that contested a Division Four final just five years ago.
The Oak Leaf laboured to a fourpoint victory that day over Leitrim, who are back in Croke Park for the first time since this weekend as they play Laois in another Division Four decider, but Derry have been back several times and expect a few more outings at GAA headquarters before 2024 is out.
Three promotions in five seasons, along with two Ulster titles, sets them apart as one of the top sides in the country now and, in their first season back in Division One since 2015, they’ve reached the League final.
But, as quick as their ascension has been, the drop to the basement division was even more swift.
Rogers said: “I suppose people would have said that Derry should never have been in Division Four but that’s where we were on merit.
“Did I think at that point in time that we’d be here so quickly again? Probably not.
“I guess things didn’t look as if they were going that way but I suppose when Rory Gallagher came in, he made that quite clear that there would be players on this team that would win trophies and All Stars and you will be talking about Championships and competing for All-irelands.
“You find it hard to believe him in the beginning but a few weeks go by and you see how things had changed and it’s unbelievable how your mentality switches as well.
“Probably shortly after, we realised we could if we followed the steps and got the work in, but on that day against Leitrim, probably not.
“I’ve a lot of memories of that game against Leitrim, it was an unbelievably helter-skelter first half and both teams just kept turning over possession and it was end to end.
“It’s funny how there’s still a fair few players playing from that day and it’s unbelievable how much it changes so quickly and it’s hard to believe it’s five years since that day.” Conor Doherty, Chrissy Mckaigue and Shane Mcguigan are the other starting survivors from 2019 and Derry went on to win the Division Three title two years later, though they lost last year’s Division Two final to Dublin, who they face on Sunday.
There’s a different dynamic to it this time, however. Promotion was already assured 12 months ago but now they want a first top flight title since 2008.
“I think for us it’s two eyes on this League final. Last year I suppose there was a lot more pressure on us because we were seen maybe as the flash in the pan – first Ulster Championship, can you back it up?
“This is a Division One final. It holds a fair amount of prestige, I don’t think any team would turn their nose up at it. We’re definitely looking forward to it.”
There will be a three-week break after Sunday to the start of their Ulster title defence, a quarter-final against Donegal in Celtic Park on April 20, which happens to be Rogers’ (left) 30th birthday.
He said: “When you get to around 30, you’re thinking about how you can maximise your career and try to make it as long as possible. I think I’ll try and soldier on for a few years yet.”