Enda McGinley: Derry dip possible in All-Ireland group stages

RTÉ GAA analyst Enda McGinley will not be surprised if Derry's performance levels dip in the All-Ireland round-robin stages given the energy they have expended throughout the entire 2023 campaign to date.

From their opening Dr McKenna Cup game against Fermanagh on 8 January, featuring 12 starters who would also line out in the Ulster decider, the Oakleaf County have brought massive intensity to every fixture, losing just once in 15 games – the Division 2 final to Dublin – as they lifted the Ulster championship, Dr McKenna Cup and earned promotion back to the top tier where they last played in 2015.

Competition number four of the season begins on Saturday night as they welcome Monaghan to Celtic Park in their opening Group 4 fixture, and three-time Tyrone All-Ireland winner expects to see the battery light start to flash.

"It’s not just Ulster championship, they were going hard at the McKenna Cup stage. During the National League they were right at the tip," he told the RTÉ GAA Podcast.

"My view on that Celtic Park game against Dublin was Dublin had at least two more gears. You just know as big players having come through big games, there’s only certain things that has you [having] that wee bit of nervous anxiety all week coming into it.

"No matter what, Dublin players were not in that place for that match against Derry in Celtic Park. Derry were, you could sense the supporters, you could sense everything.

"They pushed on, got promotion, they showed no let up at all, so they have been at that ceiling the whole time, which has been remarkable. Their consistency has been phenomenal.

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