Manager Mickey Harte ensured there would be no distractions as the whole focus immediately centred on the Championship.

It was a philosophy that served the county well as they twice completed an elusive League and Championship double.

Derry would do well to follow their neighbour's example as they set about plotting a serious assault on both the provincial and All Ireland Championship.

Outside of Donegal how many people can recall who won last season's League or who they beat in the final?

It's almost as if you have to distance yourself from having been crowned Allianz League champions.

The reticence comes partly from last year's experience when having won a first League title, Donegal imploded when it came to the Championship. They just about scraped past Armagh in Ballybofey before being hammered by Tyrone in Clones.

Derry boss Paddy Crozier and his players will be very mindful of that in the weeks and months ahead, conscious that it's 10 years since they last lifted the Anglo Celt trophy.

Beating Kerry last Sunday in Parnell Park was a major step forward for the Oak Leaf men, no more than that, and they don't need any reminding that this year's Ulster Championship promises to be one of the most competitive in decades.

Paddy Crozier's men will certainly be looking to improve on the county's dismal conversion rate from League to Championship. Sunday was Derry's fifth League title in 20 years and so far none have been followed by even an Ulster title.

It's an appalling record and one Derry will be keen to improve on, but all the time equally ambitious Ulster rivals will be lining up to ambush them before the summer is much older.