'Three years in the making' - Gallagher's Derry project

Rory Gallagher masterminded the biggest shock of the 2022 football championship thus far as Derry beat the All-Ireland champions in Omagh - their first championship win over Tyrone in 16 years.

An animated figure on the Healy Park sideline throughout, the Derry manager was cool and calm after the final whistle as he discussed his side's 1-18 to 0-10 demolition of Tyrone.

The former Donegal and Fermanagh manager took over Derry in 2019 after they had earned promotion out of the bottom tier of the Allianz League and, while they were pipped for one of the two Division 1 spots this year, there has been noticeable improvement for one of the sleeping giants of Ulster football.

"They've had a tough time in Ulster, and it's not that long ago they were in Division 4," Gallagher told RTE Sport.

"We just spent a lot of time together and committed really well together. We beat Tyrone today and were better today but they have been an outstanding team over the last 25-30 years.

"They're something I certainly aspire to and try to learn a lot from ther commitment to each other."

Derry have not won an Ulster title since 1998 and will have to overcome Monaghan in the semi-finals and then either Cavan or his former side Donegal in the final.

While Gallagher was not looking that far ahead, he was also determined that today's victory, convincing as it was, not be a flash in the pan.

"It's only a coming of age if we perform the next day but I have no doubt we'll stay level-headed and get on with it. But we'll enjoy today for what it is.

"Whether Tyrone are All-Ireland champions or not, they've had the Indian sign over these boys and given them a couple of severe hammerings, in 2015 and 2016.

"We'd like to think, even though there are a lot of those