With Derry's best interests at heart, I certainly wouldn't dwell too much on the former theory. In my lifetime as a Derry fan, I can never remember an easy Championship game against our Western neighbours. Yes, we've had some decent victories against them, but in the past twenty years these have been by no more than three points - even when Derry were at their all-time best.
Forget about Derry brushing last Saturday's Monaghan challenge aside with relative ease, tomorrow's game is likely to be a tight affair.
While Derry have assumed heavy favouritism for the game (1/2), it is fair to say that this price has been reached with only the Monaghan performance in mind; this time last week Derry were outsiders heading to Clones. Championship favouritism can be a fickle concept.
Anyway, since last Saturday, the Derry players and management should have an extra spring in their step. The forwards - Paddy Bradley especially - seem to be clicking into form, and with Fergal Doherty, Patsy Bradley and James Kielt back from injury, the Oakleafers have been strengthened considerably in the middle third. But we're only at Round 3; still two wins away from getting back on solid ground at the All-Ireland Quarter-Final stage.
So there's plenty of work yet to do. Kerry were obviously the team to avoid in the draw, but a trip to Ballybofey might possibly be deemed the next toughest task on offer. The good news is that we haven't drawn Monaghan again, but the Ulster theme continues. Last year, Derry struggled for long periods in the Ulster first round game at the Donegal venue, before eventually emerging with a two-point victory. It took a ten-point haul from Paddy Bradley and a goal from Eoin Bradley to help achieve it.
Derry will be looking to these two guys again tomorrow night, but James Kielt and Mark Lynch had promising displays last week in Clones, and they will hope to reproduce this form to take some pressure off the Glenullin brothers. Damian Cassidy won't have been pleased with how his side defended against Monaghan. Things improved in the second-half when Sean Martin Lockhart and Kevin McCloy got much closer to their men, but these two will have to be on top form to prevent the enigmatic duo of Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy from stamping their authority on the game.
They are the two shining lights in what has been a disappointing season thus far for John Joe Doherty's men. I remember leaving Glen on Easter Sunday (having watched Derry comfortably dispose of Donegal to reach the NFL Final and consign our neighbours to relegation) thinking that this Donegal side had little to offer. They seemed to rely on Brian Roper to get their attack going, and they lacked any sort of onfield leadership. All this was backed up by their first round result against Antrim. Although I though Donegal looked like the better team that day. They created more chances, but just didn't have the killer instinct in front of goal.
It was a massive setback for them, and they were always going to struggle to get through the first couple of qualifying rounds. Carlow and Clare at home were stumbled past, but these games were the perfect stepping stones. They haven't quite found their form, but Donegal have always been a side that can produce a big performance on any given day. With Barry Dunnion and Karl Lacey back in defence, Derry's forwards are unlikely to enjoy another field day, while the aforementioned Murphy and McFadden always look capable of producing a big game. Donegal will raise their level for Derry, no question.
However, they look to be weak around the middle of the field. The loss of Christy Toye to injury last week was a big blow to a side already without the presence of Neil Gallagher and Ciaran Bonner thanks to a disciplinary issue. And this is where Derry can win the game. Last week the midfield trinity of Diver, Doherty and Bradley helped propel Derry to victory, as Monaghan couldn't cope with Derry's domination of possession. Another midfield performance like this, and a similar outcome could be on the cards. Derry need to keep their heads though. One good performance does not necessarily lead to another, as Oakleaf followers are only too aware. No doubt Damian Cassidy will have spent this week focusing his player's thoughts on the task in hand, whilst emphasising the importance of consistence performances. Else, last week's win will have meant absolutely nothing.
Derry must stick to last week's template. Direct passing out of defence, early ball to the forwards, runners through the middle. They have proved they can perform and win by playing like this; the question now is whether this can be displayed with a bit more frequency. We'll get some sort of answer in Ballybofey.
Donegal have their own questions to answer - and I expect to see an improved display from John Joe Doherty's side - but will it be enough to stop a Derry side that should now be performing with confidence and building upon the momentum gathered by last weekend's excellent victory?
I suspect and hope not! Derry by three.
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