McKaigue in it for the long haul with Derry as Salughtneil target another Ulster title

Derry star Chrissy McKaigue has said that he is determined to squeeze every last morsel out of his body to represent the Oak Leaf County for as long as possible given the future that he sees in store.

The dual player, who will hope to help Slaughtneil to a fifth Ulster Hurling title in six sittings when they meet Dunloy in Armagh on Sunday, became Derry's first All-Star since 2007 after a series of brilliant performances as Rory Gallagher’s side won Ulster and reached the All-Ireland semi-final. Minutes later at the GAA event, midfielder Conor Glass replaced McKaigue as the county’s most recent All-Star recipient.

Never has the future of Derry football appeared as bright as it is right now in McKaigue’s time involved with the squad.

"I’m still trucking along rightly so I want to keep it going for as long as I can," said the defender, who was speaking at a AIB GAA provincial club championship media day ahead of Sunday’s Ulster final against the Cuchullainns.

"I was getting a wee bit emotional seeing all the different lads the same age as me retiring and question marks over different ones. We’ll just stay away from those retirement questions just yet.

"I’m telling myself I’m younger more than ever because I’m so desperate to hang onto that Derry football set-up," the 33-year-old added.

"I see the structures in the county, I see the current management team that we have, I see Stephen Barker as CEO, I see Owenbeg’s facilities developing every single day I go up the road.

"I see just the whole feel-good factor of Derry football as massive right now, and that goes from grassroots right up to the top."

McKaigue made his Derry debut in 2008 and despite racking up medals constantly at club level in both football and hurling, and also