Farney Play Down Chances

It's probably the oldest trick in the managerial handbook. No matter how ridiculous you sound, try and heap all the pre-game pressure on the opposition.

This week, Seamus McEnaney is following it to the letter. He has claimed that Derry are massive favourites for Sunday's first round Ulster clash, and questions whether his own side should even bother turning up.

"Home advantage is a big advantage in Championship football. It’s fair to say that Derry are favourites for this game. In fact, if you read all the pundits, we nearly shouldn’t turn up for this one! You get the feeling that there’s people out there who feel we shouldn’t even travel to Celtic Park."

Monaghan go into the game hoping to beat Derry in the Championship for the third consecutive season. Maybe this fact would point to more than a small glimmer of possibility that the Farney-men can win this game, but, unsurprisingly, Banty has played down the significance of those victories and even claims that the motivation of revenge will be beneficial to the Oakleafers:

"Again, it’s another advantage to Derry. All the advantages are with Derry. They’ve played Division One football for the last five years, that’s an awesome advantage."

Awesome? Let's not go overboard Seamus!

Meanwhile, Monaghan half-back Damien Freeman also displays plenty of pessimism ahead of the Celtic Park encounter:

"A pitch is a pitch, but Celtic Park will be a big advantage for Derry. I’ve only played there once before, as an U21. Any time Monaghan went there it was a daunting spot to go to and very hard to come out of with a win. It is going to be a battle. After what happened the last couple of years I suppose they’ll be looking for a score to be settled."

Of course, all this pre-match talk is unlikely to effect Derry's preparations too much. But Monaghan haven't half talked their chances down.

This time last year McEnaney had a media ban slapped on the Farney-men; it's a pity he hasn't imposed something similar this year!