DERRY’S attacking defender Conor McCluskey’s focus centres on getting more training into the tank ahead of their quarter-final later this month.
The Ulster champions booked their last eight spot with victory over Clare, steering them clear of this weekend’s start to the All-Ireland proper after yesterday’s jaw dropping draw.
McCluskey said there was no Oak Leaf panic when a 22nd minute goal shot the Banner into a slender one-point lead in a game with a very real possibility score difference could’ve decided final group placings.
“We have been in that position before when we have gone behind, but it mightn’t have been in the script before the game,” McCluskey said, reflecting on their win.
“We are road-tested at this stage. We have been in tight games where things haven’t gone our way. Today was one of those days and we just managed to dig in.
“We wanted to make sure we didn’t have any sticky prelims to deal with. That was important considering we came through a tough Ulster campaign.”
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Backing up their Ulster title and making it all the way back to the last eight – with Division One football secured for 2024 – is something McCluskey agrees on as a mark of consistency.
The McKenna Cup was a focus. Winning Ulster was the same and the All-Ireland is no different.
“Fingers crossed we get a good block of training done and we are ready for whoever we meet in the last eight,” McCluskey said of the only thing in Derry’s sights this week.
“This stage is about getting running into the legs and getting ourselves into the best physical shape for whatever challenge presents itself.”
McCluskey, who has played every minute of Derry’s 18 games this season, said their draw with Monaghan in Celtic Park in the group stages was a “reset” following their pressure cooker Ulster final win over Armagh.
“Thankfully the Monaghan game reset us and we were able to come out with a much better performance against Donegal and thankfully eke out a result here (against Clare),” he said.
‘Clucky’ wore his trademark modest grin when informed Saturday’s win was his 50th senior outing for Derry. A “nice” milestone even if not something he tracks closely.
Handed his debut by clubmate Damian McErlain in 2018, there was just one appearance the following season as Derry climbed back to division three.
Of the 49 games since the start of Rory Gallagher’s tenure, he has featured in 42. Only three as a sub. The quiet lad in the background is no longer Derry’s secret.
The offerings from last season had him placed in many All-Star conversations, with Shane Walsh the only one of his five scoreless opponents not replaced.
Asked after January's McKenna Cup final what it was like to have cemented a place in the side, he maintained there was no such thing as a nailed-on spot at inter-county level. Fast forward to Saturday and he’s still happy to be handed a starting spot.
“Every day you go out to represent Derry is a special day and hopefully I have many more to come,” said McCluskey, who has played 36 consecutive games.
“The consistency in the squad definitely helps develop confidence in yourself and with the men around you believing in you and backing you.”
