From first to last line of defence for Gillis

BARRY GILLIS didn’t expect to be playing in an All-Ireland semi-final this year. Or, if he allowed himself the dreams back in the winter, he certainly didn’t imagine himself keeping goals.

That is where Gillis will be on Sunday. Derry’s last line of defence against a Kerry attack that flinted whatever bluntness was in their game against Dublin.

Gillis will be standing tall against Cooper, Ó Cinnéide and O’Sullivan.

Generally, Gillis is at the other end of the pitch, knocking over points from full-forward for Magherafelt.

When he was last involved in a Derry team, the side that won the League in 2000, it was in a half-forward role.

Yet, drafted back into the panel at the start of the year, he was informed that his attacking services would not be needed. The management team had other plans for Gillis - converting him into a keeper.

“Kevin [Collins] rang me and asked me to part of the panel,” Gillis recalls.

Collins had been minor manager in ’97 and ’98, when Gillis kept goals for that team. And he remembered his qualities between the sticks.

“Kevin mentioned the possibility of goals. I had kept goals for the minors but hadn’t been back since. I didn’t mind, I thought what harm could it do, might as well have a crack at it.”

The decision was surprising in a number of respects.

Gillis was the top-scoring forward with his club and would have been a decent addition to a Derry attack, and Michael Conlon, Derry’s recognised No 1, was still around the panel.

Still, the decision proved correct. The two crucial saves Gillis made against Westmeath showed the six-year absence hadn’t dulled his reactions.

“Goals are different. They say goalies are a bit different, but it’s the position they play. When I am playing full-forward and I kick a ball wide, it doesn’t matter because there will be a chance to redeem yourself two minutes later.

“Goalkeepers are under more scrutiny and if you make a mistake, it is always remembered. You never get the chance to redeem yourself in the same game. You can dictate a game, really.”

While he accepts it took him two or three games to settle, Gillis has been thankful he is playing behind one of the most impressive full-back lines in the country. With the likes of Sean Marty Lockhart and Niall McGuckian in front, space for opposing forwards is usually at a premium.

“It gave me more confidence and if they have confidence in me, it is going to help them because they can concentrate on their own game. They are very hard to break down.

“I have tried to play goals like a sweeper anyway, sort of running across the line, keeping the three boys informed of what is happening. Not that they need much advice. We have a good understanding, but the confidence has grown with the games we won.”

It’s five on the trot now for Derry since that dark afternoon in Clones. Five games and each step taken with a little more confidence.

“We have done ourselves justice,” the net-minder says. “With the players we have, we have to be thinking about All-Ireland quarter-finals or semi-finals every year. We knew we weren’t as bad as we looked against Tyrone.

“There is a great inner belief that grew and grew after each game. Our goal was the quarter-finals, but now we are in the semi-final, anything can happen.”

Gillis’ first stint with the Derry seniors ended in 2001 over work commitments in Dublin. Now back up north, it’s like he has never been away. After all, when he left three years ago, Derry had reached an All-Ireland semi-final.

For anyone who was in Clones, Derry’s appearance in an All-Ireland semi-final might be shocking, but Gillis feels Derry should be knocking on the door every year.

“We have five or six big names that would be known around the country, our club teams are always strong. We have improved because we got a run of games, we’ve won five now and that, along with a willingness to work for each other, has helped.”

And what of Kerry?

“I saw some of the Munster final and Limerick put it up to them but they had enough talent and were strong enough to come back. Kerry are Kerry, they are always strong.

“People have been saying they are not playing well, but look what they did to Dublin in the second-half. And they’re League and Munster champions. Kerry are never a bad side.”