Maybe our willingness to even entertain the notion of going to a McKenna Cup game is rooted in the fresh sense of hope that the new year brings for some of us. Even Derry fans. There's an excitement and expectation that this could be "the year"; even if you promised yourself at the end of last season that you would never attend another Derry game in your life. It's along the same lines as joining up for a gym membership in the first week of January and it's the kind of thing that drives massive numbers to the first few club trainings. That reminds me of a friend at one club who once beamed as he told me how there had been 56 players at their first session of the season. There was talk of a thirds team. He wasn't so vocal in April when they failed to field for the first reserve game.
Usually, Derry supporters are too long in the tooth to dabble in mythical emotions such as hope. We prefer to call that sort of thing "delusion". We know better than to start a new year fitness regime or to buy a new pair of football boots. Yet a good few of us will defy logic and sense to risk frostbite or pneumonia by standing motionless at a McKenna Cup game for an hour and a half. The only possible conclusion that can be reached is that we're afraid of missing something. Maybe a new forward will be unearthed and score 2-10. Perhaps the Oak Leafers will put in a fantastic attacking performance en route to a fifteen-point victory. Maybe John Brennan will go toe-to-toe along the sideline with the likes of Val Andrews. Either way, we'd rather witness it first-hand than read about it in the Irish News at lunchtime on Monday.
It's this healthy dose of curiosity that will bring at least 400 people to Celtic Park this Sunday to watch Derry open up their defence of Ulster's pre-season tournament, against Cavan. Aside from the Breffni-men, the Oak Leafers find themselves in Section C, along with Donegal and UUJ. An interesting enough group - as McKenna Cup groups go - if only for the fact that it contains Derry's two potential opponents in the first round of the Ulster SFC, in the corresponding venues and all. How very considerate of those lovely folks at the Ulster Council.
Not that the games will bear any resemblance to what will happen in June. After all, that's nearly half a year away, but John Brennan will be keen to get the year off to a winning start. Last year, the McKenna Cup provided a winning platform for a young Derry side and instilled some confidence heading into Division 2 NFL football. The competition also affords the opportunity to run the eye over some new faces - who for one reason or another have found themselves in the Derry squad - and give them some valuable experience at intercounty level. Last year's main beneficiary was goalkeeper Danny Devlin, who started the year against Monaghan in the McKenna Cup and wound up playing in an Ulster Final and in Croke Park before the season was out.
2012 sees John Brennan bring 8 new faces into the Derry squad: Eugene Scullion and Colin Murray (Bellaghy), Liam Morrow and Paul Morgan (Kilrea), Philly McGlade (Ballinascreen), John McCamley (Glen), Kevin O'Neill (Lavey) and Kevin 'Moss' McGuckin (Ballinderry).
How much game time they will see over the next few weeks depends on two things: 1) how badly John Brennan wants to win these games; and 2) the areas of the field where the manager feels his team needs strengthened. In 2011, an initial dearth of midfielders was a problem that remedied itself as spring turned into summer. Instead a porous defence became the main concern, with the forward unit's late season difficulties given a bye-ball due to the unfortunate injury crisis. Brennan will be hoping to bring two or maybe three new players into his NFL team selections, but whether the squad will be suitably strengthened is a question for June and not January.
Sunday's game against Cavan isn't just about the newcomers. Garnering most of the attention this week is the imminent return of Paddy Bradley, who has been out since last April with a cruciate injury. The Glenullin man's return - and that of Eoin Bradley later in the spring - symbolises not only a fresh Derry challenge in 2012, but is also a reminder of a lost opportunity in 2011. John Brennan's Derry have a serious penchant for attack, and in such a setup, the absence of these two forwards cannot be sustained. Bradley hopes to get maybe 10 or 15 minutes against Cavan this weekend and Derry fans will be delighted to see him back on the field.
I would never openly encourage anyone to go to a McKenna Cup game, but the possible return of Paddy Bradley is as good a reason to head to the game as any.
Results are a secondary issue in January, especially in a competition perceived as little more than a series of pre-season friendlies. But do not underestimate the importance of sending out a winning message at this stage of this season, as Tyrone's performances over the past decade attest. Derry need to start breeding a winning mentality within the squad and will be aiming to start the season as they mean to go on.
Just don't be getting your hopes up.
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