DERRY manager Brian McIver has sent out a defiant message to pundits who have written off his side’s chances of making the Ulster final.
McIver’s Oak Leafers take on Anglo-Celt holders Donegal on June 27 and the Tir Chonaill outfit are raging hot favourites after they dismantled Armagh at the Athletic Grounds last Sunday
After watching that display, Sunday Game panellist Joe Brolly criticised his native county’s system and dismissed their chances of winning the Celtic Park semi-final despite highlighting the quality of several individual players.
But McIver brushed off the comments, saying: “Games are played by footballers, not by pundits. Bottom line.
“Games are decided by players. It’s a massive challenge but it’s one we’re going to prepare for and whether you go in as favourites or you go in as underdogs it’s up to you to perform.”
McIver’s Derry lost 1-11 to 0-11 against Donegal in Celtic Park last season and went down to a six-point defeat when the sides met in the first round of Division One fixtures this year.
The All-Ireland club-winning manager described Donegal’s first half display in Sunday’s nine-point win in the Cathedral City as almost “flawless”. But he says his players are looking forward to testing themselves against last year’s All-Ireland finalists.
“They were very impressive - I don’t think I’ve ever seen them play any better,” he said.
“Particularly the first 35 minutes, it was as near a flawless display as you could get.
“They are at the peak of their performance at the minute – they’ve got that experience, that know-how, that confidence so we face a mighty challenge. But it’s a great game to be looking forward to on Saturday week.”
McIver won’t have James Kielt or Daniel McKinless at his disposal on June 27. Talented Kilrea forward Kielt has left the Derry panel while Ballinderry’s McKinless fractured his leg and tore knee ligaments during a club game last week.
Kielt didn’t feature in Derry’s one-point win against Down and felt his efforts in training weren’t being rewarded.
“I spoke to James but he felt that he wasn’t making the team,” said McIver.
“These things happen, there’s no point in going on about it.
“James has been really dedicated over the three seasons and of course we are sad to see him leaving the panel.
“It’s one of those scenarios where he probably thought he wasn’t getting enough football. I know the commitment at county level is absolutely serious.
“In the same week we lost Daniel to a bad injury in a Ballinderry-Newbridge league game.
“He had worked really hard and got himself into good shape and was playing really well, he had hit two goals and three points in that game and was playing well. Now unfortunately he’s going to be out for a period of time.”
Although none are expected to be match fit for the Donegal clash, the loss of the forward duo has been tempered by the returns of three players from injury.
“On the other side of that, which is always the case with county football, this week we have Patsy Bradley, Mark Craig and Michael McIver back running again,” said McIver.
“That’s par for the course at county level – you lose lads and you get other lads back.
“It’s a matter of making sure that our focus is right over the next 10 days because we have a massive challenge on the 27th of June.”
