Former Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue has backed his former team-mates to bounce back in the All-Ireland group stages after they were knocked out of the Ulster Championship by Donegal on Sunday.
"Derry are probably going through a small period of transition.
"They just need to be careful now, it's been a difficult season to date, but the All-Ireland series is a different competition and can turn into a different brand of football too with the warm weather and firm pitches.
"Derry just need to be careful that they draw a line under this. They weren't expected to win today.
"If they can get a few weeks training under their belt and get a few players freshened up and injury-free, they can still be knocking around an All-Ireland quarter-final.
"Once you get to that stage, anything can happen. It's a tight group, it's a close group. They've been through good days and difficult days.
"I have no doubt, I'll back that group that they'll come back."
