Championship 2014: Derry

Manager: Brian McIver (2nd season)Titles: Ulster 7 (1998); All-Ireland 1 (1993)2014 league: Won four, lost two, drew one in Division One. League finalists.Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 16/1; Ulster 5/1 Bookies say: Ulster semi-final, All Ireland quarter-finalBookies said in 2013: Ulster semi-final, exit qualifier R32013 championship: Lost Ulster quarter-final to Down 1-15 to 2-17; Exited qualifier R3 to Cavan 0-20 to 1-22First outing: v Donegal, Celtic Park, 25th May

Derry captain Mark Lynch
Derry captain Mark Lynch

One of the teams with real expectations going into the Ulster Championship. Built around Mark Lynch, an overnight star after a decade in the jersey, they are hardy and hard-working in the best traditions of Derry football. Get past Donegal and a first Ulster title in 16 years beckons. After that, a last-four place isn’t out of the question.


Last good day: Take your pick – Ulster final in 2011, All-Ireland semi-final in 2004