A Tale of Two Counties

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. This may be a memorable opening line from a famous novel by Charles Dickens, but it acts as a rather apt description of Derry's recent record against Westmeath. A record that, in many respects, perfectly encapsulates the inconsistencies that have choked Derry's footballing fortunes in this period.

Following an NFL Round 1 victory over Mayo, Derry will face Tomás O'Flaharta's Leinster side this Sunday at Ballinascreen. The Oakleafers have a mixed record against the Lakemen; the high point was Croke Park in 2004, but there have been forgettable clashes besides.

It's been two years (to the day) since Derry last played Westmeath in an NFL encounter at Celtic Park. It's a game that most Derry followers have probably forgotten; not because it was a particularly unmemorable game of football, but because they'll have wanted to erase the memory of what was an especially inept Derry performance. The epoch of incredulity, perhaps.

2007 was the year when the the top four in Division 1A and Division 1B would group to form a new Division 1 for 2008, and when looking back on this particular match it's hard to believe Derry finished in the top four that season. Dessie Dolan was at his playmaking best, while Denis Glennon showed a sharpness in attack that constantly hurt the Derry defence. Trailing by nine points at one stage in the first half, Derry fell to defeat on a scoreline of 3-10 to 1-09. Derry are not often beaten so comfortably on their home turf, but this game should serve as a timely reminder ahead of Sunday's game when most Derry followers will expect their team to overcome the Midlanders.

I wouldn't want to be accused of dampening spirits ahead of this weekend's clash, so I'll cast the mind back a few years earlier to a much more pleasant experience for the Oakleafers against Westmeath. It was an All-Ireland quarter-final clash in August 2004 where Mickey Moran's Derry, fresh from one of those 'Discover Ireland' back-door campaigns, met Páidi Ó'Sé's newly-crowned Leinster champions. Derry hit form in the second half of the opening period; sublime goals from Paddy Bradley and Enda Muldoon helping them to a four-point interval lead. Despite Westmeath challenging back to hold the lead themselves with ten minutes remaining, Derry finished strongly to secure a Semi-Final place (against Kerry) on a scoreline of 2-09 to 0-13. The epoch of belief, maybe; if belief wasn't "too vague" of a word!

Derry may have also played against Westmeath in Croke Park in September 1995... but I'm staying well clear of that one!