Chrissy McKaigue opens up on losing Derry captaincy to Conor Glass

"I still feel like I can contribute."

Chrissy McKaigue opens up on no longer being captain of Derry and the appointment of Conor Glass as his successor to the role.

McKaigue was at the centre of history last season when he captained Derry to their first Ulster title since 1998 and onto an All-Ireland semi-final against Galway.

In recent years the Oakleaf county have not enjoyed this level of success, and at 33 years old, the Slaughtneil man was delighted to finally win silverware at county level.

Despite guiding his team to the promise land, manager Rory Gallagher believes that the panel would still benefit from a change in captaincy, and in typical McKaigue fashion, he humbly agrees.

Gallagher rang the man marking machine before Christmas to inform him of his decision, and the determined defender believed that it was the best decision for the development of Derry football.

Shane McGuigan and Glass have been vice captain in the past couple of years, and McKaigue has been challenging them to step up more, and this decision to elevate their responsibilities is the perfect way to do it.

"I've always been pushing those boys on. They are the future and, in my opinion, two of the best players in the country, bar none," McKaigue told BBC Sport NI.

"Yes, their performances were brilliant but you have to do a wee bit more. You have to put your head on the chopping block.

"I just felt it was the right time and it could have been either Shane or Conor, to be honest with you."

"There was no resentment on my behalf and, in many ways, I was happy enough to let it go," he added.

"I can't be selfish. I had a fair few years being captains of Derry and last year will forever be one of the most special days of my life, being captain of an Ulster-winning team.

"The bottom line is I still feel like I can contribute in a meaningful way without having to be captain.

"I feel for the team, and for Conor Class and Shane McGuigan to go to another level which I believe they are capable of, they need that bit more responsibility."

Related links:

• How Conor Glass changed the whole landscape of Gaelic football in Derry
• "It wasn't communicated very well" - Conor Glass criticises GAA for role in Shane Walsh’s Hawkeye debacle
• "I can absolutely say that I have never enjoyed a job more" - McKaigue revelling in new role as Slaughtneil GPO