Casement Makes Little Appeal

We were led to believe that the choice of venue for Derry's Ulster semi-final against Tyrone was between Clones, Casement Park, Ballybofey and Breffni Park. Casement got the nod, but if the decision was left to myself, and patently it was not, Casement Park would probably have been choice number four.

Given the distance required to reach the Donegal and Cavan venues that is saying a lot!

There's probably little point in getting bogged down over the choice of venue, but Casement Park is generally an atmosphere-less ground that offers little excitement and energy. Clones, for all its faults, is a decent Championship venue. It has ampled seating, plenty of which is covered, and the town itself is a welcoming one for match-goers.

Casement Park has the so-called advantage of "getting away quickly", but this tells us more about the surrounding area - devoid of any GAA soul - than anything else.

Of course, Tyrone players and fans will have to endure Casement too, so it's a level playing field for both sides. But I feel the need to alert you - if you were not already aware - of Derry's poor record at the West Belfast venue.

Since 1993, when Derry overcame Monaghan at the Ulster semi-final stage, the only team the Oakleafers have beaten at Casement is Antrim. And even that hasn't been the formality it should be, with the width of Anthony Tohill's fingertips saving Derry from its darkest day in 2000.

One of Derry's worst recent displays came at Casement in 2003, when a rampaging Tyrone tore through the Oakleafers in a first-round replay to record a 9-point victory.

In 2007, Casement was also the scene for one of the most miserable days any Derry supporter has had to suffer. And Derry weren't even playing! A cold and wet June day rendered the first-round clash with Antrim unplayable due to a waterlogged pitch. The announcement came about twenty minutes before the match was due to throw-in, and any Oakleaf fans unfortunate enough to be there had already endured an insufferable Ulster Hurling Final between Antrim and Down.

Barely three weeks later, and we were back again for another fun-filled Sunday afternoon in Andersonstown. Derry started as favourites against Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final. Enough said.

Derry's 10 year Championship record at Casement Park:

1999: Derry 2-15 Cavan 2-15
2000: Antrim 2-08 Derry 0-14
2000: Antrim 2-05 Derry 1-17 (replay)
2001: Antrim 0-07 Derry 0-10
2002: Antrim 0-06 Derry 0-16
2002: Tyrone 1-17 Derry 1-12
2003: Tyrone 0-17 Derry 1-05 (replay)
2005: Armagh 1-11 Derry 0-10
2007: Antrim 0-10 Derry 1-13
2007: Monaghan 0-14 Derry 1-09

Perhaps this poor record is where the root of my antipathy for Casement Park really lies. I will probably have slightly more time for the venue if Derry manage to beat Tyrone there next Sunday.