Football

Damian Barton takes the blame for poor Derry performance

Derry boss Damian Barton described yesterday’s heavy loss to Tyrone as ‘confusing and devastating’ 
Derry boss Damian Barton described yesterday’s heavy loss to Tyrone as ‘confusing and devastating’  Derry boss Damian Barton described yesterday’s heavy loss to Tyrone as ‘confusing and devastating’ 

Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final: Derry 0-12 Tyrone 3-14

DERRY manager Damian Barton took the blame after Tyrone tore his side’s Ulster Championship hopes to shreds with a ruthless first half spell of quality football yesterday.

Barton’s men had competed solidly during the first quarter at Celtic Park but he admitted they had been “well beaten everywhere on the pitch” after Ronan O’Neill bagged his second goal with 20 minutes gone.

Tyrone went on to add a further 1-4 to Derry’s single point from then to the break and by half-time the game was done and dusted.

“Losing any game is devastating but the manner in which we lost it is even moreso,” said a crestfallen Barton after yesterday’s quarter-final loss.

“It is confusing and devastating. It is my job to make sure that people are in the right place; quite obviously I did not do my job today.

“There were 11 points in it at half-time and we didn’t have much to play for in the second half – a wee bit of pride perhaps. But really, as a Championship contest it wasn’t a contest once their third goal went in.”

Derry’s hopes of a second half comeback were dashed when Ciaran McFaul (two bookings) and Karl McKaigue and were sent off. Derry may appeal McKaigue’s straight red card.

“I thought it was very harsh,” said Barton.

“Chrissy put up his arm, he tells me Colm (Cavanagh) walked into it, but I don’t know.

“If he struck with his elbow he deserved to be sent off but I’ll need to have a look at it. Somebody told me that whenever you trip someone you’re black-carded but I think Colm made a great attempt at tripping Gareth McKinless but wasn’t black-carded.

“I’m not complaining but it’s just quite bizarre the ease that some teams get frees compared to others, certainly I don’t think he (referee David Coldrick) did us any favours but we were well beaten.”

Derry did salvage some pride by matching Tyrone point for point in the second half. Despite that Barton said his side lacked leadership on the pitch yesterday and he’ll hope for a lot more character in the Qualifiers.

“We have to learn from what happened today,” said the Newbridge clubman.

“When you look at our McKenna Cup performances and our first couple of League games we were pacey, we were creative and played with some fluency but that has left us.

“People have to manage it on the pitch. I thought our leaders on the pitch didn’t stand up from the youngest to the oldest. The first round draw is very important and the first victory in the Qualifiers is very important otherwise the season is gone and we’re really back to the drawing board.

“But we’ve lost a lot of influential players and leaders and perhaps that was reflected today.”

Tyrone go on to an Ulster semi-final meeting with the winners of the Cavan/Armagh quarter-final. Meanwhile, the backdoor route awaits Derry and Barton said his players will have been stung by the loss – their fifth against Tyrone this year.

“They boys will be hurting more than anyone else and I feel disappointed for the supporters and disappointed for the people who have put so much in,” he said.

“Championship football is ruthless, it’s devastating and so it should be, that’s the nature of it.

“We’re out of one competition and we’re in the backdoor and we have to focus on that, hopefully get a favourable draw.”

He added: “We have to work out whether we were emotionally ready for the game. I thought we looked tired at times so I have to accept responsibility in terms of the whole package. Emotionally were we right? Physically were we right? 11 points of a deficit and pulling up at the end… I think we’re much better than that.”