By Kieran Lynch

FORMER Derry manager Damian Barton and Brian McGuckin are off and running as Magherafelt managers, having taken over before the start of the season.

Derry Champions in 2019, and runners-up in 2020, Magherafelt have been one of the big guns in the county over the last few years, but with Glen and Sleacht Néill at the peak of their powers, it won’t be easy for O’Donovan Rossa to get back to the top of the pile.

McGuckin spoke to Gaelic Life about how excited he is to be taking over, and why he and Barton have such a good relationship on the side-line.

“We’re very excited to be working together again,” he said.

“Obviously myself and Damian have worked together before at Derry, but we sort of went our separate ways and did our own things after that. But this opportunity presented itself, and myself and Damian thought that it was a good fit for us and we’re delighted to be here.

“As well as managing and coaching with Damian, I’ve worked with him for the best part of two decades – we taught at the same school. So we have a great relationship, and that makes it easier whenever we have to work together.”

Magherafelt opened their league campaign with a 0-14 to 1-9 victory over Bellaghy, before losing 1-10 to 1-8 against Loup in their last encounter. With the championship still months away, the league offers the two managers a chance to cast their eye over the wider depth of the squad.

“We’re no different to any other club, with regards to players involved on the senior or u-20 county panels, or with injuries and what not,” said McGuckin.

“That’s obviously hampered us a wee bit, but Magherafelt have a really good squad of players and it’s a really good opportunity for myself and Damian to get a look at other players, who we maybe aren’t quite as aware of – and they’re getting their opportunity to show us what they can do.

“Magherafelt have been very strong at underage, so there is a conveyor belt of players coming through and obviously our job is to get a look at everybody and to bed the younger players into the squad.”

With no relegation, the importance managers are placing on the league varies from one to another, but McGuckin is happy with how the league is set-up, and he says that Magherafelt get their motivation from within.

“We’re content enough with the set-up of the league,” he said.

“There isn’t a major amount of importance put on it, due to the fact that there is no relegation. I suppose that you create your own competitiveness through competition, and with so many players vying for positions, we feel that that’s where we create our competitiveness.”

Whilst talk of championship shouldn’t be on the mind for another few months, there is no harm in being ambitious, and Barton and McGuckin certainly are about the talent of their new team.

“Magherafelt at the peak of their powers are capable of winning the championship,” McGuckin affirmed.

“Obviously, Sleacht Néill and Glen won the last two Derry Championships, but we feel as though we have a group of players who can compete with both of those teams.”

NEW ROLE…Brian McGuckin was over a Coalisland side that embarked on  a memorable run to the Tyrone Senior Championship final last year