Managers agree it’s all relative in derby clash
THERE are local derbies, and then there are local derbies. Sars and Erins Own could define the genre tomorrow, particularly as it’s a repeat of their first-round game, which Sars lost.
“This is a real derby in the sense that people are living right next door to each other,” says John Barry, the Sars manager.
“You’ve first cousins playing against each other and so on. John, Tadhg Og and Ronan Murphy on our side would all be related to Peter Kelly of Erins Own for instance, they’re all first cousins.
“Slagging around the area? That’s more for the pubs, and we’ve had to stay out of those for the last few weeks!”
Martin Bowen, Erins Own manager, agrees.
“I’ve often said that the derby is what makes the GAA special. If we lose that aspect of the games we’re going to be in right trouble but whoever wins tomorrow will be wished all the best in the final by the losers.”
Most observers expect Erins Own to be getting those good wishes, but Bowen worries that his side are being slow out of the blocks.
“We’ve been that way in all our games, to be honest — we’re struggling to get over teams, we’re not playing great but at least we’re still there — at this stage of the season it’s all about winning.”
It was all about Fergus Murphy for much of their quarter-final win over Bride Rovers. Murphy flew in to play on the morning of the game and Rovers paid the compliment of attaching Brian Murphy to him as a marker until halfway through the second half; suddenly free, Fergus got the goal that turned the game. Brian returned to pick up his namesake but the damage was already done.
“Fergus is playing well,” says Bowen.
“There was a small bit of a worry, but he was always going to make the quarter-final. Moving Brian Murphy off him ... it’s like everything else, sometimes those moves work for you and sometimes they don’t: when they work you’re a great fella, but when they don’t ... ”
The finger gets pointed?
“Exactly. When you’re on the sideline you have to make those decisions — and to take the consequences.”
John Barry suggests Erins Own are entitled to be regarded as favourites.
“Internally the pressures would be the same — in our club a win is demanded regardless of the standard of the team — but from the outside perspective Erins Own would probably be expected to win.
“They beat us comfortably in the first round and they also beat us in the league four weeks ago without their Cork players, so on all known form they’d be clear favourites — and it’s not just me saying that!
“If you’d asked people to name the semi-finalists at the start of the year they’d have named Cloyne, Newtownshandrum and Erins Own, but we certainly wouldn’t have been named — even more so after our first round performance. But we’re happy to be where we are. The last game never really ignited, so I’m hoping this game is a little better for people watching.”
Not to be outdone, Martin Bowen is full of praise for Sars: “They’re a strong side, very good at midfield where Pat Ryan is an excellent player. They have Kieran (Murphy), who’s another good player and they’ve got a powerful half-forward line as well. Generally speaking they’re good around the middle of the field.
“Our lads are up for the game, but we’ve been saying to them all the time that the four teams that are left are all looking at winning the county, and at this stage it could be just that little bit of luck that makes the difference.”
Slagging, luck and favourites. None of that matters tomorrow at 2 o’clock.
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