Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Derry have proved they belong

Derry’s journey over the last five years has been remarkable. I have watched them closely in that time and have thoroughly enjoyed witnessing their development and evolution. 

FULL-BLOODED: Players from both teams, including Derry players Diarmuid Baker and Emmett Bradley, and Dublin players Lorcan O’Dell and Con O’Callaghan, contest a high ball in the final minute of extra time. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

What should have been a festival of Gaelic football over the weekend transpired to be underwhelming in general. Sunday’s breathtaking Division 1 decider rescued the finals weekend because the other three were disappointing.

Significantly, Laois are developing into a modern team with a kicking game and will be a force in the Tailteann Cup, but many of the other teams appear to be stuck in gear. A pattern that stuck out for me in the Division 2, 3 and 4 finals is how similar most teams now play.