Derry likely to squeeze Clare into submission

Derry’s wins over Tyrone and Donegal would carry more weight than Armagh’s and they will arrive in Croke Park with a strut

BROTHERS IN ARMS: Derry’s Brendan Rogers and Shane McGuigan jubilant at winning the Ulster Senior Final against Donegal in Clones. Pic: Declan Roughan, INPHO

Déjà vu for Clare as they face Derry after Roscommon - just as they did back in February. Derry were nine-point winners in that Ennis meeting. The first half had been a tight tussle but the home side struggled too many times to break down Rory Gallagher’s side and Derry countered with verve.

The margin was interesting because Shane McGuigan was kept on a leash with just four points from frees. Another point of note is the four-week gap from Derry’s Ulster final heroics. Dublin and Kerry were hardly exercised before they were made wait whereas Derry not just needed the break to park a historic triumph but a well-earned rest from action following major wins over Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal.