Judging by his team selection for tomorrow night's clash with Dublin at Parnell Park, Damian Cassidy has made it abundantly clear that Derry's problem in their previous game against Kerry was not winning enough ball in midfield. This is something that
will have to improve if Derry are to collect two points from the Capital.Although the headline inclusion for the floodlit encounter is that of Paddy Bradley (in the full-forward line to make his first start of the season), changes elsewhere point to a desire to help Derry fare better in the possession stakes. Paul Murphy replaces Brian Mullan in the half-forward line, and his chief role will be to win breaking ball at midfield, where he enjoyed reasonable success on Sunday past.
Barry McGuigan earns his first start since the Mayo game, and despite being named at corner-forward, he will also be employed around the midfield area, in an attempt to help Derry pick up more loose ball.
Enda Mulddon comes into midfield to replace Joe Diver, and the Ballinderry man's partnership there alongside Fergal Doherty is one that offers plenty of ball-winning potential. This is the main objective from these wholesale changes, in an attempt to put Dublin on the back-foot, and prevent them from building a head of steam that tends to see them score heavily in short bursts.
In defence, Derry will have to look out for one of the country's top forwards in Bernard Brogan. Brogan has looked very lively in an otherwise disappointing Dublin forward divsion so far in this NFL campaign, and with his brother Alan slowly returning from injury (although he should play some part in Saturday's contest) the younger sibling is carrying a heavier weight of expectation.
Niall McCusker returns to the Derry defence, replacing Kevin McCloy at full-back. Kevin Bonner is named at full-forward for Dublin, but it is likely that Conal Keaney could play there at some stage, especially if Dublin revert to a more direct style of play.
Sean Leo McGoldrick returns to the side at left-half back. He will start alongside his brother Barry, who gets another chance to impress at centre-back. It's interesting that the two started in the exact same positions - on the half-forward line - against Mayo.
John Deighan completes the changes from the Kerry game, replacing Barry Gillis in goals.
This is a difficult game to call. Pat Gilroy was boosted by his side's victory in Ballyshannon last Sunday, and he will hope to build on that this weekend. Derry started the campaign off well with two early victories, but some doubts have emerged in the wake of the disappointing performance against Kerry. Contrasting outlooks. But those results become irrelevant this weekend.
The Oakleafers have enough fire in their armoury, and the changes to the midfield sector should ensure Derry do not get dominated like they were in Bellaghy. Dublin have not impressed so far this term, and they provide the ideal opposition to help Derry get back on the winning track.
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