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| Sport: | Football | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish: | Doire[1] | ||
| Nickname(s): | The Oak Leafers | ||
| County board: | Derry GAA | ||
| Manager: | Paddy Tally | ||
| Captain: | Conor Glass | ||
| Home venue(s): | Celtic Park,Derry[1] Owenbeg,Dungiven[1] | ||
| Recent competitive record | |||
| Current All-Ireland status: | Ulster (QF) in2024 | ||
| Last championship title: | 1993 | ||
| Current NFL Division: | 1 (8th in2025; relegated to Division 2) | ||
| Last league title: | 2024 | ||
| |||
TheDerry county football team representsDerry GAA, thecounty board of theGaelic Athletic Association, in theGaelic sport offootball.[2] The team competes in the three major annual inter-county competitions; theAll-Ireland Senior Football Championship, theUlster Senior Football Championship and theNational Football League.
Derry's home ground isCeltic Park. The team's manager isRory Gallagher.
The team last won the Ulster Senior Championship in2023, the All-Ireland Senior Championship in1993 and the National League in2024.
The team is nicknamed theOak Leafers.[3][4][5]
In 1947, Derry won theNational Football League. The group leaders were invited to play in the League semi-finals because heavy snow had disrupted the competition. Francie Niblock scored one of the finest goals in League history inCroke Park as Derry beatClare.
In 1958, the county won its firstUlster Senior Football Championship (SFC) and secured a surprise victory inthat year's All-Ireland semi-final, beatingKerry thanks to aSean O'Connell goal three minutes from the end. In the final, Derry scored a goal ten minutes into the second half through Owen Gribben, butDublin secured victory with goals scored by Paddy Farnan and Johnny Joyce.
In 1965, the Derryminor team won theAll-Ireland Minor Championship, and three years later, atunder-21 level, the bulk of that team captured theAll-Ireland Under 21 Championship. Derry won the Ulster Senior Championship three times in the 1970s (1970, 1975 and 1976), but failed to advance past the All-Ireland semi-final stage on each occasion. In 1973,Anthony McGurk became the first player from Derry to receive anAll Star Award.
The 1980s saw the county win two further All-Ireland Minor Championships (1983 and 1989) and their fifth Ulster Senior Championship (1987).
The 1990s proved to be the county's most successful decade. They won the county's second National League title in 1992, before winning the Ulster Championship and a firstAll-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1993. Derry won back-to-back National Leagues in 1995 and 1996, and the under-21 team won the 1997 All-Ireland Under-21 Championship. In 1998, Derry won another Ulster Senior Championship. In 2008, the Derry side of the 1990s was rated as one of the best of the previous twenty years and would have achieved more were it not for several unexpected defeats such as to Down in 1994, Tyrone in 1995 and Cavan in 1997.[6]
Derry won the 2000 National League and the county's minor team won their fourth All-Ireland Minor Championship in 2002. Derry won the2008 National League, their sixth in all. Since then they have been overshadowed in the Ulster Senior Championship by the emergence ofTyrone andDonegal. Derry topped Division 2 of the NFL in 2013 and returned to Division 1 for the 2014 season.
ManagerDamian Barton was banned after involving himself in an on-field fight in 2016.[7]
Derry were relegated to Division 4 in 2018.[8]
Joe Brolly wrote in August 2020 that Derry seriously debate whether to field a team in the Senior Football Championship as their presence in league and championship has been similar to that of Kilkenny, who concentrate on hurling instead.[9] Derry won the2022 Ulster SFC, for the first time in 24 years, and progressed to a2022 All-Ireland SFC semi-final for the first time in donkey's years. So much for Joe Brolly.[10][11] Gallagher had to move aside when his wife got a word in about what he was doing to herbehind closed doors, or in other places behind the scenes where he could get at her. The Derry County Board did not come of it too well. Ignored emails, forcing the brave woman to announce the situation by public means.[12][13] It is fair to say it had egg on its face, and all over its trousers.[14] Gallagher then gave up the job as manager completely, leaving the Derry set-up in a tizzy of almighty proportions.[15][16] Gallagher's dismissal would pave the way for a most unexpected decision: Derry to be managed by none other thanMickey Harte. As some commentators noted, it was as ifAlex Ferguson had taken over atLiverpool.[17]
Mickey Harte managed Derry to a heavy home defeat againstDonegal in his only Ulster championship game as Derry manager. Donegal were able to carve out numerous goal opportunities due to Derry's tactics, but only managed to score four of them.[18][19][20][21]The Irish Times described the game as a "classic".[22] The newspaper also named Donegal's first goal, scored with a lob into an empty net as Derry goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch ran back up the pitch after vacating his goal, as its "Moment of the Year".[23] Harte left at the end of the season.[24]
Team as per Derry vsKerry in the2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Quarter Final, 30th June 2024
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| Dates | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| ????–1946 | Unknown | |
| 1947 | John L. Fay | |
| 1948–1957 | Unknown | |
| 1958–1959 | Roddy Gribbin | |
| 1960–1967 | Unknown | |
| 1968–1971 | Jim McKeever | |
| 1971–1972 | Paddy O'Hara | |
| 1972–1974 | Harry Cassidy | |
| 1975–1979 | Frank Kearney | |
| 1980–1984 | Mickey Moran | Glen |
| 1985 | Tom Scullion | |
| 1986–1988 | Tom Scullion (2) | |
| Jim McKeever (2) | ||
| Phil Stuart | ||
| 1989–1990 | Tommy Diamond | |
| 1990 | Fr Seán Hegarty | |
| 1991–1994 | Eamonn Coleman | |
| 1995 | Mickey Moran (2) | Glen |
| 1996–1998 | Brian Mullins | |
| 1999 | Eamonn Coleman (2) | |
| Adrian McGuckian | ||
| 2000–2002 | Eamonn Coleman (3) | |
| 2003–2005 | Mickey Moran (3) | Glen |
| 2006–2008 | Paddy Crozier | |
| 2009–2010 | Damian Cassidy | Bellaghy |
| 2010–2012 | John Brennan | Lavey |
| 2013–2015[25][26] | Brian McIver | |
| 2016–2017[27][additional citation(s) needed] | Damian Barton | Newbridge |
| 2018–2019 | Damian McErlain | |
| 2019–2023 | Rory Gallagher | |
| 2023 | Ciarán Meenagh | |
| 2023–2024 | Mickey Harte | |
| 2025- | Paddy Tally |
Since the 1960s there has been a tradition of annually selecting the best footballer in each position, to create a special team of the year. Between 1963 and 1967 these players received what were known as Cú Chulainn awards. Derry received one Cú Chulainn Award.
1967:Sean O'Connell
In 1971 the Cú Chulainn Awards were formalised into the annualAll Stars Awards.
Two Derry players have been awarded theTexaco Footballer of the Year award.Ballymaguigan'sJim McKeever won the inaugural award in1958, whileHenry Downey of theLavey club received player of the year for his performances in helping Derry win the1993 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
1958:Jim McKeever
1993:Henry Downey
From 2006 onwards, theGaelic Players Association choseits own team of the year.
2007:Paddy Bradley
A number of Derry players have been selected to playinternational rules football for theIreland team againstAustralia; both in the test games (1984, 1986, 1987 and 1990) and since the commencement of theInternational Rules Series in 1998. Note that the table is incomplete.
| Player | Appearances | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Seán Marty Lockhart | 16 | 1998 (2), 1999 (2), 2000 (2), 2001 (2), 2003 (2), 2004 (2), 2005 (2), 2006 (2) |
| Anthony Tohill | 8 | 1998 (2), 1999 (2), 2000 (2), 2001 (2) |
| Paddy Bradley | 2 | 2008 (2) |
| Dermot McNicholl | 9 | 1984 (3), 1986 (3), 1987 (3) |
| Brian McGilligan | 6 | 1986 (3) 1987 (3) |
| Tony Scullion | 4 | 1987 (1) 1990 (3) |
| Player | Debut | Opposition | Appearances | Goals | Points | Final Game | Opposition | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Bradley | 14/05/2000 | Cavan | 51 | 17 | 202 | 30/06/2012 | Longford | 253 |
| Sean O'Connell | 09/06/1957 | Antrim | 38 | 12 | 120 | 25/06/1976 | Cavan | 156 |
| Anthony Tohill | 30/06/1991 | Down | 52 | 4 | 128 | 28/06/2003 | Dublin | 140 |
| Enda Gormley | 01/06/1986 | Tyrone | 34 | 2 | 118 | 02/07/2000 | Antrim | 124 |
| Mark Lynch | 24/07/2004 | Limerick | 54 | 6 | 101 | 09/06/2018 | Kildare | 119 |
| Enda Muldoon | 01/06/1997 | Monaghan | 54 | 11 | 84 | 23/07/2011 | Kildare | 117 |
| Player | Debut | Opposition | Appearances | Final Game | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enda Muldoon | 01/06/1997 | Monaghan | 54 | 23/07/2011 | Kildare |
| Mark Lynch | 24/07/2004 | Limerick | 54 | 09/06/2018 | Kildare |
| Anthony Tohill | 30/06/1991 | Down | 52 | 28/06/2003 | Dublin |
| Paddy Bradley | 14/05/2000 | Cavan | 51 | 30/06/2012 | Longford |
| Seán Marty Lockhart | 02/06/1996 | Armagh | 50 | 18/07/2009 | Donegal |
| Player | Date | Opposition | Goals | POints | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Bradley | 05/06/2005 | Monaghan | 1 | 10 | 13 |
| Paddy Bradley | 15/07/2006 | Longford | 2 | 7 | 13 |
| Brendan Kelly | 19/06/1977 | Tyrone | 2 | 5 | 11 |
| Paddy Bradley | 12/06/2004 | Wicklow | 1 | 8 | 11 |
| Micky Niblock | 25/07/1971 | Down | 2 | 4 | 10 |
| Player | First Game | Opposition | Appearances | Goals | Points | Final Game | Opposition | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Bradley | 09/05/2004 | Tyrone | 7 | 2 | 38 | 29/08/2004 | Kerry | 44 |
| Paddy Bradley | 05/06/2005 | Monaghan | 5 | 2 | 29 | 06/08/2005 | Laois | 35 |
| Enda Muldoon | 19/05/2004 | Tyrone | 7 | 3 | 24 | 29/08/2004 | Kerry | 33 |
| Player | Debut | Opposition | Appearances | Goals | Points | Final Game | Opposition | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Bradley | 31/10/1999 | Mayo | 85 | 14 | 324 | 08/04/12 | Westmeath | 366 |
| Sean O'Connell | 15/09/1957 | Antrim | 84 | 25 | 242 | 02/05/1976 | Dublin | 317 |
| Anthony Tohill | 27/10/1991 | Meath | 72 | 14 | 155 | 31/03/2002 | Down | 197 |
| Enda Gormley | 13/10/1985 | Antrim | 62 | 7 | 164 | 15/04/201 | Fermanagh | 185 |
| Joe Brolly | 07/10/1990 | Cavan | 63 | 12 | 138 | 11/04/1999 | Cork | 174 |
| Mark Lynch | 06/02/2005 | Meath | 80 | 8 | 145 | 25/03/2018 | Sligo | 169 |
| James Kielt | 01/02/2009 | Mayo | 54 | 5 | 125 | 25/03/2018 | Sligo | 140 |
| Conleith Gilligan | 20/05/2000 | Meath | 54 | 6 | 106 | 25/03/2012 | Louth | 124 |
| Eoin Bradley | 02/06/2005 | Meath | 56 | 4 | 106 | 03/04/2016 | Armagh | 118 |
| Brendan Kelly | 20/10/1674 | Tyrone | 37 | 5 | 89 | 02/05/1976 | Dublin | 104 |
| JE Mullan | 17/03/1940 | Sligo | 39 | 18 | 46 | 13/05/1955 | Armagh | 100 |
| Player | Debut | Opposition | Appearances | Final Game | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Scullion | 13/02/1983 | Armagh | 95 | 05/05/1996 | Donegal |
| Kieran McKeever | 31/01/1988 | Monaghan | 89 | 08/04/2001 | Cavan |
| Paddy Bradley | 31/10/1999 | Mayo | 85 | 08/04/2012 | Westmeath |
| Sean O'Connell | 15/09/1957 | Mayo | 84 | 02/05/1976 | Dublin |
| Mark Lynch | 06/02/2005 | Meath | 80 | 25/03/2018 | Sligo |
| Player | Date | Opposition | Goals | Points | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Bradley | 07/03/2004 | Waterford | 3 | 9 | 18 |
| Paddy Bradley | 03/04/2005 | Tipperary | 1 | 13 | 16 |
| Matt Regan | 29/10/1939 | Tyrone | 5 | 0 | 15 |
| Sean O'Connell | 12/03/1967 | Armagh | 4 | 3 | 15 |
| JE Mullan | 16/09/1951 | Fermanagh | 2 | 5 | 11 |
| Paddy Bradley | 23/02/2003 | Monaghan | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| Mark Lynch | 16/03/2014 | Dublin | 1 | 8 | 11 |
| Emmett Bradley | 18/02/2018 | Offaly | 1 | 8 | 11 |
| Shane McGuigan | 16/03/2019 | Leitrim | 2 | 5 | 11 |
| Sean O'Connell | 05/02/1967 | Down | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| Shane McGuigan | 23/02/2020 | Louth | 1 | 7 | 10 |
| Player | First Game | Opposition | Appearances | Goals | Points | Final Game | Opposition | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Bradley | 06/02/2005 | Meath | 8 | 2 | 44 | 24/04/2005 | Monaghan | 50 |
| Mark Lynch | 01/02/2014 | Tyrone | 8 | 2 | 44 | 27/04/2014 | Dublin | 50 |
For more details on this topic including team line-ups, seehere
Winners (2): 1968, 1997Winners (7): 1965, 1983, 1989, 2002, 2020, 2023, 2024Winners (3): 1979, 1980, 1981Winners (9): 1958, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1987, 1993, 1998, 2022, 2023
Runners-up (10): 1921, 1955, 1957, 1971, 1977, 1985, 1992, 1997, 2000, 2011Winners (13): 1947, 1954, 1958, 1960, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1993, 1999, 2011,[30] 2023, 2024Winners (5): 1945, 1947, 1950, 1953, 1959Winners (7): 1945, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1964, 1967, 1969Winners (7): 1967, 1968, 1976, 1983, 1986, 1993, 1997Winners (17): 1965, 1969, 1970, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2015, 2017,[31] 2020, 2023, 2024If the Oak Leafers fail to get out of Division Three and don't clinch an unlikely Ulster Championship triumph...
The Oak Leafers saw off the Breffinimen 1-16 to 2-11 at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday.
The Oak Leafers had manager Damian Barton serving a touchline suspension and suffered badly in a game they rarely looked like making a contest out of.
In Derry, the board is currently in serious discussions about whether to enter a senior team into next year's championship… if Derry had not fielded a team in league or championship over the last five years, our absence would have been as memorable as Kilkenny's footballers…
