Kerry masters of defensive tactics, claims Derry boss Brian McIver

Derry manager Brian McIver last night claimed Kerry have provided the greatest example to teams that the best way of countering defensive systems is to mirror them.

McIver revealed Derry chose to follow Tyrone’s example having seen how difficult they made things for Dublin earlier. However, Saturday’s game became a forgettable spectacle when Dublin chose not to press up on Derry as they did against Tyrone.

“The great percentage of sides are playing like this,” said McIver after Derry training last night. “Kerry in last year’s All-Ireland final set up exactly like Donegal last year, mirrored them in the way they played and beat them at it. We tried to run through Donegal last year and were criticised for trying to do so. Monaghan decided to drive the ball in and were criticised for doing that.”

Regarding Saturday’s game, McIver spoke of Derry’s inspiration: “We saw how Tyrone had stifled Dublin in their league game and we talked to the players about doing that. We didn’t just go out to park a bus but the way Dublin set themselves up it left it like a game of chess. We wanted to play an offensive game, keeping possession and looking for somebody coming off the shoulder to break the line, but it didn’t happen.

“If we had gone to Dublin last weekend and there was another 3-20 scored against us we would have been told we were naive and learned nothing. It’s a catch-22 situation. I want good, open football and if there is something to be done to keep attacking options open then believe me I’d have no objections but I’m not sure there are many choices.”

Meanwhile, the Tyrone County Board last night refused to comment on Joe Brolly’s remarks about Mickey Harte. On RTÉ Radio on Monday night, the outspoken pundit said: “Mickey Harte said ‘we’re not in the business of entertainment’. Well then f**k off and play behind closed doors if you’re not in the business of entertainment. Have you ever heard such a perverse thing?”

Harte is not sure Tyrone are capable of beating Kerry in Omagh in Sunday’s relegation battle following their heavy defeat to Donegal last weekend. “After the way we played, a two point win seems unlikely.”

Harte conceded there is a lack of confidence in the dressing room. “Morale is very low. They’re a seriously disappointed bunch of men. So we’re just not in a good place at the moment. We have a lot of soul-searching to do, and that’s what we have to be about this week, and try and get a performance against Kerry.”

Asked how he plans to lift the spirits of his players, he responded: “With great difficulty, that’s for sure.” He is at a loss to explain why Tyrone have lost their way in this campaign. “It’s very strange, because in some of the games against some of the top teams we played this year, we were excellent.

“I just can’t understand how we could be so good against certain teams, and so poor. It’s something we’ll have to look very deeply into and see what we can do about it.”