McIver criticises poor match scheduling as Dromore fall short

DROMORE manager Paul McIver has hit out at match scheduling which left his side with just a week to prepare for last Sunday’s Ulster Club SFC tie against Ballinderry.

The Tyrone side had won the county championship seven days previously, while the Derry men had a fortnight to recover and prepare following their domestic success. And Ballinderry displayed greater staying power at Healy Park, where they emerged with a two-point win.

“It was unfair to have to play another championship match in the space of six days,” said McIver.

“The boys are wee bit aggrieved that they had to do that, and they fell short, the legs were very tired near the end. We had very little time to prepare. We never got any video analysis done, we never got any real recuperation done, so it was just a difficult situation for the Dromore players.”

But McIver, a proud Ballinderry clubman who was placed in a dilemma when drawn against his friends, neighbours and family, was full of praise for the Derry champions.

“Take nothing away from Ballinderry, they’re a superb outfit, brilliant forwards.

I’ve said that for years, and it’s great to see them actually producing it, and please God they can go further.”

It was a particularly difficult occasion for McIver, who had to plot the downfall of his own club.

“It has been an extremely difficult week, and it is very unfair for any manager to be in that situation, and hopefully it doesn’t happen too often again, having to prepare a team against boys that you have grown up with and worshipped, a team where my heart is.”

It was McIver’s brother, Michael, who netted after just 32 seconds to set the Derry champions up for a marrow Ulster Club Championship win.

“They found it very difficult to get back from that goal. It was just a mistake, put it down to nerves, or tiredness, or whatever, and that was the difference in the end. But we pulled it back. It was good for Michael to get in there, and write the script,” said the St Dympna’s boss.

Dromore battled their way back into contention, with skipper Eoin McCusker leading the way with a seven points tally, but they eventually ran out of steam.

“It looked as if we were going to need a goal to win the game. We brought fresh legs on, boys that haven’t had any championship experience, because the boys were extremely hard and the few sill wee mistakes that they were making, a few decisions that went the wrong way,” said McIver.