Allianz National Football League Division Two: Laois v Derry
(Sunday, 2pm, Portlaoise)
HOW quickly things can change. Derry headed into the two-week break in fine fettle, sitting on the shoulder of Tyrone.
But Galway took off in a sprint down the Lonemoor Road and Damian Barton’s side were caught off guard and unable to keep the pace. And as Tyrone cruised away from them in Healy Park last Saturday night, Derry are left panting at the side of the road needing to get back on the bike very quickly.
A third consecutive defeat is something that they cannot countenance if their flickering promotion ambitions are to stay lit. Indeed, a defeat in O’Moore Park tomorrow afternoon could leave them in a similar predicament as in 2012, when they only escaped relegation to the third tier by virtue of other results on the final day going their way.
Relegation wasn’t in the eyeline at all before half 8 last Saturday but another loss here and Derry could find themselves in the whirlpool: “We had got off to a very good start with two wins. This has been a major setback, the two defeats,” said Derry coach Brian McGuckin.
“What we’re trying to put in place, we’re not quite there yet. From [the Tyrone game], it would look that we have quite a bit to do. But we are a work in progress. Hopefully we’ll learn from the two defeats and move forward.”
What they are trying to put in place has varied since the season began. In their embryonic form, Derry looked like a side that was going to throw the shackles off. The opening credits of the campaign featured the names of Ryan Bell, Mark Lynch, Cailean O’Boyle, Emmett McGuckin, all as inside forwards, all in there to be served with the ball as early and as often as possible.
Sunday’s starting 15 does not carry that same physical edge. Sean Leo McGoldrick is named at 15, from where he will drop back, either as a free man or to wing-back and allow Danny Heavron to go free.
Emmett McGuckin remains at full-forward but O’Boyle, Bell and James Kielt are all on the bench, alongside Mark Lynch, who is recovering from the latest niggle to plague the early part of his year.
What will please many Derry fans is to see Christopher Bradley start at 11. His cameos thus far have been an impressive continuation of his club form. He possesses the vision and composure of his manager.
Laois have yet to name their side but there will almost certainly be changes from their 1-17 to 0-10 defeat by Fermanagh last weekend. Barring the first 45 minutes against Armagh, when they built a 1-10 to 0-6 lead that they came desperately close to losing, it’s been a flat campaign from the midlanders.
They made Tyrone sweat a bit with a late flourish but were never really on the same standing, and they’ve been well beaten in Galway and Fermanagh. Paul Kingston made a late return to their starting line-up in Brewster Park and shared four points from play with his brother Donie. Colm Begley is wearing six while Brendan Quigley is in the middle of the park for them, but it’s a Laois side that will do well to stay in this division.
The fact that Galway drew last week and have to travel to Cavan on the final day offers some hope to Derry. It’ll be a surprise if the Oak Leafers aren’t back on the bike on Sunday evening.
TEAM NEWS
Derry: T Mallon; O Duffy, C McKaigue, K McKaigue; G McKinless, B Rogers, D Heavron; N Holly, E Bradley; C McFaul, C Bradley, B Heron; S Heavron, E McGuckin, SL McGoldrick; Subs: E McNicholl, R Ferris, C Mullan, N Forester, J Kielt, R Bell, C Murphy, C McAtamney, C O’Boyle, D McKinless, M Lynch
Laois: TBC
