His hands have been tied with injuries and suspensions, but Damian Cassidy has still managed to select a reasonably bold starting fifteen for this massive game. Dropping
Kevin McCloy is a big move, while Eoghan Brown's selection is a minor risk; but in the circumstances there were few other options available (perhaps Paul Young, Gavin McShane and Caolan O'Boyle were staking claims - though it would be a big jump up in level for the latter two who have yet to feature in competitive football for Derry).We're still only at the Ulster semi-final stage, but since 2000, this has been the very point of the Summer where Derry's wheels have fallen off the wagon. Tyrone, Donegal (twice), Armagh, Monaghan and Fermanagh have all inflicted defeats that have left deep wounds.
Ironically, Derry's barren Ulster decade has coincided with the introduction of the qualifier system in 2001, and an Ulster Final has not been reached since. It could be put down to a mindset that is happy to have the safety net of the back-door, but excuses are wearing thin. The truth is, we need to win an Ulster title. Soon.
And there's no time like the present. The fact that the All-Ireland Champions Tyrone currently stand in Derry's way should be a help rather than a hindrance. Derry have failed against so-called weaker opposition in previous campaigns; a derby semi-final meeting with the Red Hands should focus the mind. It's time to take their scalp and make a serious push for an Ulster title. Derry have been beaten with the 'under-achievers' stick for too long. We must now take that extra step to become 'serious contenders'. We can do that on Sunday.
We all know winning football games isn't about mindsets however, and Derry's squad is wearing a little thin ahead of Sunday's game. Injuries and suspensions have weakened the Oakleaf hand, and the bookies would appear to concur (with 9/4 available about an Oakleaf victory), but this team must expect to win. Doherty, Muldoon, McCusker and co. will be missed, but the players coming in are capable of doing enough to achieve victory.
This is a huge test of Damian Cassidy's credentials as manager, pitting himself directly against Mickey Harte. In the absence of some key players, Cassidy's preferred system of play will be tested rigorously against a full-strength Tyrone. I believe it has the capacity to obtain the result we all crave, but Derry need to work hard from the start in every sector of the field.
The wing-half forwards must push closely on the dangerous pairing of Davy Harte and Philip Jordan. These two have been crucial performers for Mickey Harte in recent seasons. They display an ability to break onto possession in their own half before finding ample space in opposition territory to both create and take scores. Derry cannot afford to let them find their rhythm at Casement Park. It will be a baptism of championship fire for Eoghan Brown, who will have his work cut out. Conversely, Derry's wing-backs must be willing to push forward at every opportunity, creating an attacking outlet, whilst keeping Tyrone on the back-foot.
Barry McGoldrick is likely to continue his sweeping role in defence. He must keep constant tabs on the roving influence of Sean Cavanagh, and the playmaking abilities of Tommy McGuigan and Owen Mulligan. The Derry defence as a whole (which incudes the welcome return of Sean Martin Lockhart) must focus dilligently on thwarting Tyrone's attacking machine, as they seek to set up scoring opportunities for McGuigan, but more pertinently Stephen O'Neill. And this attacking machine starts with John Devine in goals. The Derry forwards must press high from the second Devine looks like seizing up one of his short kickouts.
This all makes up part of how we expect Derry to play, but the Oakleafers shouldn't concentrate too much on stopping Tyrone. We must impose our own game on them, and I'm
sure Cassidy will have made his players aware of that in the past couple of weeks. This means the likes of Sean Leo McGoldrick, Chrissy McKaigue and Gerard O'Kane will support the attack, helping to create scores for the Bradleys and Lynch, while Joe Diver will be tasked with breaking through the Tyrone middle third to add an extra dynamism to Derry's offensive play. It's easy to put it into words I suppose, but a little more difficult to practice on the field of play. Especially as Tyrone will probably play a sweeper of their own (most likely in the shape of Joe McMahon), while Conor Gormley, Ryan McMenamin and Justin McMahon will be given specific man-marking duties.Derry must not leave their full-forward line isolated, and they will want to avoid playing long hopeful balls into this area (where Tyrone will sweep up with ease). This, generally, has been removed from Derry's play under Cassidy, but was prevalent during the NFL game in Omagh, when Derry kicked susbstantial ball away during a poor first half. Players like Enda Lynn and Barry McGuigan will be tasked with getting fast accurate ball into the full-forward line, with Eoin Bradley spending time in the half-forwards to try and stretch a flexible Red Hands defence.
And this is Tyrone's strength: flexibilty and adaptability. Players for any position. This is why they are so hard to play against, and exactly why Derry must concentrate on their own game - it's impossible to second-guess Mickey Harte's side. Against Monaghan, Derry's planned system of play more or less went out the window, but Tyrone play a different brand, and as such, each Derry player muct focus solely on his task from the throw-in.
It's a big ask, but if this Oakleaf side can produce the necessary work ethic, and prevent Tyrone from finding their flow (we don't care if it ain't pretty!), then Derry have enough talent to win this game, and finally put themselves on the Ulster Final stage.
This is a massive opportunity for Derry to show the rest of the country that they are capable of greater things.
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