New Derry football manager Damien Cassidy has revealed his eagerness to transform the Oak Leafers into championship contenders. Derry triumphed in this year's National League, only to implode in the championship a few weeks later, and Cassidy - whose backroom team will consist of former Antrim footballer Kevin Madden, current Ballinascreen boss Martin O'Connell and former selector Brendan McRory - stressed that championship success will be his main target in 2009. "The challenge for Derry footballers is to become championship footballers," the 1993 All-Ireland winner said. "You want to give yourself every opportunity of getting a good start to the National League. But you are not going to be judged on your league performance. Your league performances are important to your team's championship preparations. "We are no so naïve that we don't appreciate and understand that. Ultimately, you are judged on the championship and that is the problem that Derry have suffered over the last number of seasons. "It's now eight years since Derry were in the Ulster final. That seems like such a long time to me. It's been 10 years since we won an Ulster title. We are going to have lots of time between now and the championship to try and ensure that we perform as a championship team." Tweet

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