Harte slams 'empty vessels' as Derry embark on road to recovery

After Saturday’s must-win game against Westmeath was negotiated successfully, Derry manager Mickey Harte took aim at those speculating about his future

BUILDING BACK: Derry manager Mickey Harte, right, shakes hands with Westmeath manager Dessie Dolan after his side's SFC win at Páirc Esler in Newry, Down. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

All-Ireland SFC Group 1: Derry 2-7 Westmeath 0-9 

Derry manager Mickey Harte insists morale was dented by recent championship defeats and victory in Saturday’s must-win game with Westmeath was the beginning of building some confidence back.

Goals from Conor McCluskey and Emmett Bradley shot the league champions into this morning’s draw for the preliminary quarter-finals.

Derry were 1-5 to 0-5 ahead at half-time but points from Westmeath substitutes Robbie Forde, Jack and Stephen Smith shaved the margin to a point before Bradley’s goal clinched victory.

“It doesn’t solve all our problems,” Harte said of Saturday’s vital win. “We still have to be aware of what caused us damage in the games that we lost, and try and continue to work so they don’t happen again, certainly in such a prolific fashion.” 

Derry were without the suspended Gareth McKinless and short three of their listed substitutes. Niall Toner, Marty Bradley and Conor Doherty were unavailable with Niall Loughlin going through a separate warmup with conditioning coach Sean Quinn.

It was 64 minutes before Cormac Murphy took off his tracksuit to make his championship debut. Youngster Ruairi Forbes joined him, the sixth championship debutant under Harte’s watch.

What this week brings, we’ll have to wait and see but Derry’s win in Newry keeps their name in the hat.

“He’s come on well, in another week or two he could be much better – if we have a week or two,” Harte said of Loughlin’s progress. “I know we’ve one week, but if we have any more than that I’d say he’d be knocking on the door.” 

After winning the league in late March, Derry relinquished their Ulster title and were carved open by Armagh to leave a win over Westmeath a must.

Derry’s preparations were also hampered by rumours over Harte’s future as manager to the point where Chairman John Keenan was forced to state otherwise.

“It was just another Tuesday for me,” Harte said of speculation four days ahead of their first knock-out game of the championship.

“It’s to do with the times we’re living in. There are so many people that can have a voice and bring it out as if it was the gospel truth.

“You know what they say about empty vessels, they make the most noise, and that’s probably part of it.” 

Ronan O’Toole was lively early on to kick Westmeath 0-2 to 0-1 before Lachlan Murray levelled matters.

Much of the first half was nip and tuck with Derry continuing their approach of attacking in numbers. As the game developed Diarmuid Baker switched on to O’Toole with Conor McCluskey getting more room to attack.

There was also the presence of Conor Glass in a centre back region with Ciaran McFaul getting hands on plenty of ball. Eunan Mulholland also hit two important first half points.

Westmeath were 0-5 to 0-4 when Derry hit their first goal. Baker broke the tackle, his Steelstown clubmate Donncha Gilmore - who kept Sam McCartan quiet - was involved before McCluskey’s rocket to the net.

James Dolan and McGuigan exchanged points before another key moment for Derry. Conor Glass plucked a Ronan Wallace 45 under his own crossbar before kicking Derry 1-7 to 0-6 ahead seconds later.

Westmeath subs Stephen and Jack Smith kicked points as the momentum began to change, leaving just a point between the teams, 1-7 to 0-9.

It was win or bust for Derry. Then, they struck for the clinching score. Baker broke inside before he fed Bradley who hammered to the net, putting the Oakleafers into the last 12.

Westmeath manager Dessie Dolan was very disappointed and felt they left the game behind them “They got the goal late on, but I felt that even (before) the first goal we had decent momentum when that goal came against us at a crucial time, coming up to half-time,” He said.

“I thought we were working our way back into it in the second half. The subs we introduced got a couple of scores and the momentum was good.

“Derry were vulnerable, if I’m being honest, but they got that break with the corner back (Baker) creating that overlap for the second time, which is disappointing.” 

Scorers for Derry: C McCluskey, E Bradley (1-0 each), C Glass (1 45), S McGuigan (2fs) E Mulholland (0-2 each), L Murray 0-1 

Scorers for Westmeath: R O’Toole (0-3), R Connellan, J Dolan, S Smith, R Forde, J Smith and J Gonoud (0-1 each) 

DERRY: O Lynch; D Baker, E McEvoy, C McKaigue; C McFaul, C McCluskey, D Gilmore; C Glass, B Rogers; E Doherty, E Bradley, Paul Cassidy; E Mulholland; S McGuigan, L Murray 

Subs: D Cassidy for Murray (61), R Forbes for Bradley (64), C Murphy for Mulholland (64), S Downey for P Cassidy (71) Yellow card: D Baker (48) 

WESTMEATH: J Daly; J Dolan, K Maguire; J Gonoud; D Lynch, C Drumm, R Wallace; R Connellan, A McCormack; J Lynam, R O'Toole, S McCartan; L Loughlin, J Heslin, S Baker 

Subs: S Smith for Loughlin (50), R Forde for Lynam (50), J Smith for Baker (56), S Allen for Gonoud (57), K Martin for J Dolan (71)

Referee: P Faloon (Down)