TAKEN FROM BELFAST TELEGRAPHY - BY JOHN CAMPBELL
Saturday, January 26, 2008
JOHN Clarke has for some been recognised
as a key cog in the Down defence.
An athletic, resilient player, Clarke has
helped to offer resistance at various levels
for the Mournemen, his stamina and drive underscoring
his career in the county jersey to date.
But lately Clarke has been seen in a new
role - that of a forward.
He has come on from the substitutes' bench
recently to play a vital role in piloting
Down into tonight's Gaelic Life Dr McKenna
Cup final against Derry at Casement Park,
Belfast.
And he is hoping to make an impact in some
capacity tonight so that he can cement his
claims for a place in the team for the forthcoming
National League.
"This Down side really has responded
to the challenge of the McKenna Cup and to
be playing in the final is a great early season
boost for us. To win the trophy would be a
tremendous fillip going into the league,"
says Clarke.
Along with John Fegan, John McAreavey, Ronan
Sexton and Daniel Hughes he has been helping
to point the way for Down in more ways than
one.
"The important thing is that the team
plays well and keeps winning. That's our primary
focus," maintains Clarke.
But while the Down attack has sparkled in
their last three games - a staggering 7-45
scored testifies to that - the unit might
just find itself rather restricted against
a Derry defence that contains a sharp edge.
Kevin McGuckin, Francis McEldowney and Liam
Hinphey are expected to lead the resistance
to Ross Carr's side tonight.
McGuckin, back to his best form after a long
lay-off because of an ankle injury last year,
and McEldowney have been catching the eye
in the Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup to date
while Collie Devlin and the ubiquitous Paddy
Bradley have been on target of late up front.
Devlin has been on the fringe of the Derry
side for some time without quite bedding down
a place but he certainly has been pressing
his claims this month.
He is likely to get another chance tonight
while Bradley looks certain to be offered
the chance to further polish his shooting
boots before the National League starts.
Such has been Tyrone's dominance of the competition
that their absence from the final has given
tonight's game an extra dimension.
Derry look to have greater experience and
physicality at the back but Down's current
resilience will ensure that they battle to
the end.
