IF the Derry minors perform at their best at Croke Park on Sunday they can beat Dublin and go on to face Kerry in the All-Ireland final.
That’s how manager Damian McErlain sees it and he is well aware that his opposite number Tom Gray will view the semi-final showdown the same way. McErlain’s Derry side saw off Tyrone, Antrim and Cavan to take the county’s second Ulster title in three years and then Sligo to reach the last four and the Magherafelt clubman feels they are ready for their biggest test so far.
“I’ll be telling the boys that we’re going down into Dublin’s backyard and they’ll get nothing handed to them,” he answered when asked what he’ll tell his players before throw-in on Sunday.
“People will be writing us off thinking it’s the Dubs’ ground and all the rest. But the boys have responded to this sort of thing before – we’re not going down there feeling like we’re underdogs, that’s for sure.”
He added: “Of course we fancy our chances, you have to fancy your chances or we wouldn’t even have got this far. You have to have belief in what you’re doing and Tom Gray will be no different, he’ll be feeling that if they play well they’ll win the match and we’re no different.”
Now in his third season with the Oak Leaf youngsters, McErlain’s Derry reached the All-Ireland semi-finals in 2016 before losing to Kerry and the Kingdom (three in-a-row winners) knocked them out at the quarter-final stage last year.
“We’re looking forward to Sunday,” said McErlain.
“It’s a massive challenge at Croke Park in front of their full support (Dublin face Tyrone in the senior semi-final which follows).
“They are a big, athletic side and they put up some big scores in Leinster so it’s a real challenge and another step up for the boys.”
Being “vigilant”, McErlain has watched the Dubs again Kildare and Clare (All-Ireland quarter-final) already this season so he’ll know exactly what his side faces on Sunday. The Dubs recovered from a nightmare start in their Leinster opener against Meath to win after extra-time and went on to beat Kildare and Louth to secure provincial honours and then Clare to make the All-Ireland semis.
“They came back against Meath from 1-10 to 0-3 down and won and they took over the game against Kildare after Kildare had looked the better side in the first 15-20 minutes,” McErlain explained.
“They are an accomplished side and they stick to their system – they will be hard to break down.”
Despite 11 points from full-forward Red Og Murphy, Derry got past Sligo by the skin of their teeth, eventually running out 1-13 to 0-15 winners in Ballybofey. Meanwhile, Dublin had a more straightforward passage against Clare. With Ballyboden’s Ross McGarry weighing in with 2-4, they ran out 2-11 to 0-10 winners. McGarry and Sean Hawkshaw have caught the eye in a very potent forward division.
“We have a lot to work on in terms of our finishing,” said McErlain.
“That put us under a bit of pressure, it’s an old cliché, but the team that takes their chances will win the game.
“Dublin are full of scores, they have a good spread and their forwards all can score if they get the opportunity. One thing I’ve noticed about them is that they are very unselfish - they move the ball to the man in the right position all the time.
“James Doran at centre half-forward has been very prominent for them in the championship. He would set up a lot for them along with Hawkshaw and McGarry feeds off that. They’re a good side and it’s going to be a good game.”
