ANOTHER Saturday and another trip to Cavan for Damian Barton’s Derry side after Monday’s draw paired them against beaten Munster finalists Tipperary at Kingspan Breffni Park (5pm).
It is a first championship meeting between the counties but speaking immediately after the draw on Monday captain Chrissy McKaigue didn’t buy into the sentiment but billed the clash as the ‘biggest game’ of the year.
“I see it as a massive game and definitely the biggest game of our season so far because the prize at the end of this one is definitely the most significant.
“Hopefully we can get a following going to it and everyone can realise just how big a game it is because to get into the last eight of an All-Ireland now is no mean feat, so the prize is huge,” expressed the Slaughtneil man.
After the mauling at the hands of Tyrone, the Derry camp have regrouped and starting with a win over Louth have made significant progress. The pride is back and gallant comebacks have ramped up the excitement factor.
The second half of the Cavan game was a fantastic advertisement for championship football and Derry’s tally of 13 second half points was a joy to watch.
Saturday brings another chapter and another set of challenges but the Oakleafers are now on the cusp of a first All-Ireland Quarter Final since 2007.
Like nine years ago the clash will be preceded by Derry minors who are schedule to face All-Ireland champions Kerry as part of the undercard.
That is the carrot dangling in front of the Derry players but this hurdle will take a bit of work. They don’t just let anyone play in Croke Park – Derry will have to grab the opportunity with both hands.
BATTLE HARDENED
It will be a third outing in Breffni Park this year, with both previous encounters literally going down to the last kick. A late block by Chrissy McKaigue foiled Cavan’s comeback and secured two vital league points.
In the championship last Saturday Gerard Smith’s late attempt to grab victory for Cavan was blocked by Liam McGoldrick. So when this week’s instalment heads into the melting pot in the closing stages Derry will have that psychological advantage in their locker.
In the opposition corner this week, there will be an unfamiliar opponent, but Chrissy McKaigue doesn’t see it as a negative but rather just a case of get on with the task at hand.
“We don’t know much about Tipperary, but they don’t know much about us either and it’ll just be another game of championship football.
“It’s just good to be where we are at now. After Tyrone beat us convincingly in Celtic Park if you had said we would have been one game away from an All-Ireland Quarter-Final, you'd definitely have took it back then, so we are happy enough,” added the Derry skipper.
A pattern is starting to emerge from Derry's pathway through the ‘back door’ has been Damian Barton’s side battling their way back from the dead almost, but McKaigue is more content now.
“To come from behind in the second half and the impact of the subs coming on with their fresh legs is the big reason why we have been winning them.
“Nothing beats winning tight championship games to galvanise the group which is probably what we needed after an indifferent league campaign”, McKaigue added.
McKaigue isn’t getting carried away though and looks ahead with caution.
“Everything is moving in the right direction but I’m sure Tipperary will fancy their chances against us, so we’ll have to be on our guard.”
TIPP TOP
He’s right. Anyone thinking Tipperary are a hurling county would be badly mistaken. The Premier County have invested in their football structures and recently have reaped the rewards.
An All-Ireland Minor title back in 2011 made the nation stand back and take note. Last season’s crop of Tyrone’s U21 players took an eternity to shake off the Tipp resistance in the All-Ireland Final.
As Anthony Daly proclaimed back in 1995 when accepting silverware on behalf of Clare hurlers – “We’re no longer the whipping boys of Munster,” a statement very appropriate to Tipperary footballers.
After an indifferent season in division three of the league, Tipperary shocked Cork (3-15 to 2-16) in the Munster semi-final with two late frees from Ken O’Halloran edging out the Rebels.
They had the luxury of a missed penalty but Michael Quinlivan scored 1-3 from full forward and Derry are likely to have Chrissy McKaigue keeping tabs on him.
At midfield Peter Acheson and George Hannigan are a settled partnership and will need plenty of attention on Saturday to ensure they don’t give Tipperary a launchpad for attacks.
If Tipp edged out the Rebels, then the Munster Final was a different story with Kerry winning at a canter (3-17 to 2-10).
Quinlivan and O’Halloran were once against accurate from placed balls so a disciplined defensive performance will be high up Derry’s gameplan for Saturday.
Damian Barton shows faith in the team that started against Cavan, leaving Enda Lynn, U21 players Niall Toner and Niall Loughlin as game changers with their vital injection of pace and energy.
When the Tipperary defenders are beginning to tire, the impact trio will be at their most effective so it is a case of game management to having a strong 15 on the pitch at any one time.
Liam McGoldrick and Neil Forester also bring that running power to the table so it will keep Tipperary manager Liam Kearns second guessing his plan of attack. Cailean O'Boyle is the only change to the squad and comes in at the expense of rookie defender Niall Keenan.
As McKaigue alluded to, winning games does wonders for confidence, a confidence that was brittle at best after defeat by Tyrone.
This winning run should continue and hand the Oakleafers a Croke Park date with Kerry or Galway. The prize is huge but would spell a more accurate reflection of Derry’s position in the footballing ladder.
VERDICT: Derry
Derry: Thomas Mallon, Gareth McKinless, Chrissy McKaigue, Karl McKaigue, Ciaran McFaul, Brendan Rogers, Ciaran Mullan, Conor McAtamney, Niall Holly, Daniel Heavron, Christopher Bradley, Eoghan Brown, James Kielt, Emmett McGuckin, Mark Lynch.
Tipperary: TBC
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