Derek McGrath: 'Doon mentality - and what it means to them - has been a real eye-opener'

Last year’s SHC final victory over the same opposition was their first senior success but they haven’t had a lot to shout about otherwise as they face a Na Piarsaigh side that are seeking a ninth title in 15 seasons

Derek McGrath. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Derek McGrath says Doon are too grounded to get ahead of themselves as they attempt to defend their Limerick SHC title against Na Piarsaigh in Sunday’s final.

Last year’s victory over the same opposition was their first senior success and as midfielder Darragh O’Donovan has intimated they haven’t had a lot to shout about otherwise as they face a Na Piarsaigh side that are seeking a ninth title in 15 seasons. 

It wasn’t so long ago that Doon, for all their promise at under-age level, were being looked upon as underachievers.

Before leading Doon to that inaugural crown, McGrath was part of a De La Salle side that won their first Waterford senior championship 17 years ago. It’s not hard for him to draw comparisons between two clubs.

“De La Salle made the breakthrough in ‘08, and for years before that it was said about us, 'Oh, De La Salle are kind of soft, they'll never make the breakthrough. They're missing something.'

“I think when you make that breakthrough, you don't play with a newfound arrogance or overconfidence. 

"The Doon people, from my experience having been up there with them the last 18 months, they're rooted in a kind of ordinariness. And I mean that with the greatest respect, just real sound, solid people.”

Where De La Salle and Doon differentiate is obviously in geography and demographics. Being an urban club, McGrath’s recent experiences with Faythe Harriers in Wexford town were similar to his own but Doon’s catchment area is considerably smaller. The catchment area encompassing Doon and Oola is approximately 1,000 people.

It's been a learning experience for the former Waterford manager. “As a city person, I'm getting to learn a good bit about the rural kind of outlook in terms of the whole parish thing, and how much it means to them, and what they represent.

Donal Coughlan of Doon in possession against Mikey Gavin of Ballybrown in the semi-final. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

“In the midst of all the talk of tactics etc, sometimes the best tactic is to kind of go out and represent who you stand for. That's been very enjoyable, that aspect of it. It's been an eye-opener for myself in terms of just that whole parish mentality.” 

McGrath is one of the most analytical managers around but he’s aware the immeasurables have to be considered too. “Sometimes what the numbers are telling you can be different than what's happening in real life. I often see the possession stats, even in the soccer, where the actual game is saying something different.” 

Both finalists will turn up in TUS Gaelic Grounds with unbeaten records in this year’s competition and Doon’s only loss in the last two championships came in a dead rubber match against Adare last year.

McGrath points out some of his side’s group results were better than their performances but is satisfied going into the weekend. “We’ve had some fortune but we’re happy with the timing of our run. Without building up the opposition we're acutely aware of what's ahead of us in terms of the motivation Na Piarsaigh will have from last year.”