TAKEN FROM THE IRISH NEWS - By Paddy Heaney
AN Ulster final and Tyrone nor Armagh are
nowhere in sight. It might just be a sign
of the summer that lies ahead.
It's possible that Derry and Down could meet
in the Ulster SFC final on July 20. Considering
Tyrone's continued struggles with injuries
and retirements, and with Armagh's future
unsure - there is room for a new force to
emerge. This evening's Gaelic Life Dr McKenna
Cup final in Casement Park will provide some
indication of which county is best placed
to step into that void.
When the issue has been decided, the losing
manager will immediately insist that winning
the McKenna Cup was never part of his grand
plan. Such statements can be expected and
understood.
But make no mistake, this is a final, and
no manager, team nor player worth their salt
is ambivalent about the outcome of such a
game.
Even the finals of club carnivals that are
played under the hazy sunshine of a summer
evening are fiercely contested.
Neither the team captain of Down (Dan Gordon)
nor Kevin McCloy (Derry) started in the midweek
semi-final game, but both are expected to
line out tonight.
Both Ross Carr and Paddy Crozier will welcome
their inclusion. Down struggled at centrefield
against Cavan, while Derry's defence endured
some shaky moments against Fermanagh, (both
Liam Hinphey and Francis McEldowney played
despite being dosed with the cold).
The bookies are confident that Kevin McCloy
will be the first non-Tyrone man to receive
the Cup since 2002. Derry are 4/7 favourites
while Down are 7/4.
More than a few punters will be tempted to
wager a few shillings on this resurgent Down
outfit that has lifted the long-suffering
Mourne supporters out of their misery.
Many Down fans are preaching caution while
speculating with wild enthusiasm at the same
time. After last season, when they failed
to win a game in the Dr McKenna Cup and the
League, their newfound fervour is entirely
understandable.
Five goals against Donegal. Three victories
on the trot. Many factors lie behind the recent
upturn in fortunes. Senior players have been
revitalised after being switched to new positions.
John Clarke has been a revelation in the forward
line, scoring six points in his last two outings.
Liam Doyle has looked the part at centre half-back.
And there are the new players. Ciaran McGovern,
Gary McArdle, John Fegan, Kevin McKernan and
Colm Murney have all registered heartening
displays.
And while Down are the outsiders, they should
be much fitter than Derry. Ross Carr's men
have been in hard training since October.
They spent one weekend in Annaclone GAA club,
staying overnight in the hall in sleeping
bags before training early the next morning.
During their trip to Portugal, they trained
three times a day. Paddy Crozier's men didn't
return to collective training until mid-December.
Even then, a few experienced players were
granted extra time off.
Down are preparing for a pressure-ridden
Division Three campaign. The two teams relegated
from Division Three will lose their place
in the qualifiers and automatically enter
the Tommy Murphy Cup. There is less at stake
for Paddy Crozier in the League. He will want
to maintain Division One status, but his plan
will be to choreograph Derry's run so they
peak against Donegal on June 1.
Bearing in mind the context with which both
teams are entering this final, Down represent
a shrewd bet. They will view this game as
perfect preparation for the must-win games
that await them in the NFL.
Derry may hold an advantage in terms of individual
talent, but Down's superior fitness levels
and will-to-win could cause a shock for the
bookmakers.
