A hurdle too far for Derry?
The malevolent undercurrent in Derry’s last outing against Monaghan a month ago, the subsequent remarks from Derry manager Damien Cassidy about the merits or otherwise of entertaining football and the recent disquiet in the club scene surrounding James Kielt’s broken jaw may place a burden of moral responsibility on the Oak Leafers this weekend as a reemergence of any of Gaelic football’s darker arts might earn them a reputation as a cynical side — a reputation they wouldn’t entirely deserve.
Almost as if to create a guard against complacency, Tyrone players and management have been at pains trying to evoke memories of the last time they faced Derry as defending All-Ireland champions three years ago in Omagh.
It will be recalled that the muchvaunted Tyrone team were held scoreless for the first half on that occasion in a match that took on a life of its own and indeed none of their starting forwards registered a score from play. By the time the game was over, Tyrone had succumbed to one of the most spectacular championship ambushes in recent times and if Derry need a template on how to beat Tyrone again, there’s a ready-made example staring them in the face.
Because of the fallout from their match against Monaghan, Derry are highly unlikely to engage in the robust tackling and off-the-ball hustling that proved so successful in their encounter with Tyrone three years ago. And that is why tomorrow’s outing holds so much promise for all neutrals.
In fairness to Damien Cassidy’s side, it is not in their interest nor is it in their DNA to indulge in much off-the-ball nastiness but they were never likely to kowtow to Monaghan last month in light of their perceived capitulation two years ago.
As a result, Fergal Doherty’s suspension is more likely to draw sympathy than might be afforded other notable recidivists who’ve been shown red cards elsewhere this season. Derry will miss Doherty’s force and physicality from their midfield area. He was still their best source of primary possession, even if had been allowing himself to be sidetracked too often in recent times. His absence allied to Kielt’s injury and Enda Muldoon’s continued rehabilitation leaves Derry looking to the Bradleys for inspiration. Having Niall McCusker return from his groin operation does give the selectors some options and some essential hitting capacity at the back.
Apart from Stephen O’Neill’s great goal, one of the abiding images we have from Tyrone’s disposal of Ulster champions Armagh last month was Ronan Clarke’s second half skinning of Conor Gormley at full back. The likelihood of Gormley being similarly exposed tomorrow (or at any stage between here and September) is quite low but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Gormley being put back into the full back line again tomorrow to act as sweeper with Ryan McMenamin picking up Paddy Bradley and PJ Quinn doing a job on Eoin Bradley similar to the one he did in the league earlier this year. McMenamin held his own on Stevie McDonnell last time out and he would also have the legs to stay with Paddy Bradley’s explosive burst. Derry will hope for better support for their full forward line than Armagh gave Clarke and McDonnell and if they get that, the examination is likely to be stiffer than anything Tyrone have faced since last September. Having said all that, one simply has to admire the way the Tyrone backs still play the game without fear and the manner in which some of them (McMenamin, Quinn and Harte) are willing to leave their men to attack the ball is indicative of a great trust in their colleagues’ ability and an even greater affirmation of their confidence in their own role in the team effort.
Although selected at full back, Justin McMahon had a whale of a game at number six against Armagh and only for his slight hamstring tweak we would have got to see a lot more of his exciting play at centre back. Tyrone’s three All-Ireland victories were brought about in no small part by accomplished team-reshuffling on Mickey Harte’s part and maybe McMahon’s positioning at centre back is the latest modification in his war against convention and orthodoxy. One of the other great Ulster coaches of recent vintage, Pete McGrath spoke during the week of the attributes required to emulate Tyrone this year. They included intensity of performance, work rate, team ethic, adaptability and mobility of players, mental strength, talent, and manager’s and players’ motivation. In many aspects and under more favourable circumstances, we might expect Derry to match their neighbours in many of these attributes in late June but right now they appear too hampered by injuries and baggage from late May. Can they repeat the heroics of 2006? One of their most famous sons, poet Seamus Heaney, said “the next move is always the test”. It’s a test I don’t expect them to pass.
