Dr McKenna Cup semi-final: Monaghan v Derry (tomorrow, 2pm, Athletic Grounds)
IT was only midway through the second half in Owenbeg on Wednesday night that Derry emerged as serious contenders for a place in tomorrow’s semi-final.
When Armagh built an early seven-point lead against Down while Derry and Queen’s were off the pitch at Owenbeg waiting for the floodlights to reboot, the prospect of the Oak Leafers gazumping Kieran McGeeney’s charges was a far off one.
But as the second half progressed, the Derry scoring average started to rise and rise, and come the final ten minutes there was little doubt that they would do enough.
Damian Barton revealed afterwards that he had a challenge game arranged with Antrim for the weekend in the event that Derry didn’t qualify, but the Newbridge man was happy enough not to need it.
“Monaghan is a first class side as they have proven and we are - as I keep saying - where we are.
“Again I thought some of the younger players acquitted themselves very well, there's a bit of rust in the team and in some individuals and I think competition is fantastic.
“The distances we ran against Queen's and the conditions are heavy enough, will stand us in good stead for the league.”
Their reward for that 2-20 to 0-6 win over the university side that is a tie with a Monaghan side that has been edging its way through the gears as the McKenna Cup has gone on.
The scoring return of Conor McManus in Wednesday’s comfortable six-point victory over St. Mary’s suggests that he will start on the inside in Armagh tomorrow.
Three points off the bench from Conor McCarthy in last weekend’s rout over Antrim were a step towards fitness for him and the UCD student is likely to see a bit more game time here.
Karl O’Connell has been reintroduced to the side over the last week while Dessie Mone also made an appearance off the bench for the last 20 minutes against St. Mary’s.
And with the likes of the Wylie and Hughes brothers, Dermot Malone and Rory Beggan having all played their part, it’s likely that Malachy O’Rourke will have a strong hand to play with.
He may be without Colin Walshe though. The Doohamlet man quietly, but gingerly, made his way off in the dying moments of the win over Antrim and didn’t feature on Wednesday night with a suspected hamstring strain.
James Mealiff, David McAllister and Michéal Bannigan have all been given some game time as they continue their ascension from last year’s under-21 side.
Derry have introduced more than enough new faces of their own and Damian Barton believes that reaching a semi-final despite basically starting from scratch in terms of his team has made it a positive January.
"I think it has been a huge positive for us. Ronan Murphy, Conor McGrogan came in again and did well; Connor Nevin hasn't played in a number of years and carried injury most of last season but his willingness to get up the pitch, even at the death, was excellent. He is very steady and very solid in the full back line.
“I keep talking about the defence but Neil Forester has really matured from last year and got a lovely goal [against Queen’s]. His effort, desire and hunger is inspirational for the rest.
“A huge number of positives. It's good to see Mark [Lynch] back, big James [Kielt] kicked on. There is still more in him but these games will bring the players on.”
The Oak Leaf boss seems intent on fixing a few of last year’s tactical dysfunctions, not least in finding an effective sweeper.
Danny Heavron’s return to the panel is a major plus but it’s understood that he is a while away from returning to match duty, meaning that Barton has to find an alternative for the early part of the League.
Ciaran McFaul and Conor McAtamney have also returned to the fold in recent weeks as the skies start to brighten for Barton.
He has made just two changes for tomorrow, one of them enforced. He rotates his goalkeepers again with Ben McKinless back between the sticks, while the injured Ciaran Mullan replaced by Conor McGrogan in the full-back line.
Niall Keenan (Queen’s) and Niall Toner (St. Mary’s) are on the bench after their respective universities went out of the competition, while Danny Tallon is also named alongside the likes of Emmett McGuckin and Benny Heron.
Their couple of victories and a gritty game against Down have built a bit of confidence and unity through a new-look squad but the experience of this Monaghan pack will likely prove a bridge too far at this stage.
THE TEAMS
Monaghan: TBA
Derry: B McKinless; C McGrogan, C Nevin, R Murphy; N Forester, O Duffin, M Warnock; C McAtamney, A McLaughlin; E Lynn, J Kielt, P Hagan; M Lynch, R Bell, N Loughlin
