Football

Winners Derry and Armagh clash with Dr McKenna Cup semi-final spot up for grabs

Derry's Jack Doherty with Rory Brennan of Ulster University during the McKenna Cup opener at Celtic Park. Picture Margaret McLaughlin
Derry's Jack Doherty with Rory Brennan of Ulster University during the McKenna Cup opener at Celtic Park. Picture Margaret McLaughlin Derry's Jack Doherty with Rory Brennan of Ulster University during the McKenna Cup opener at Celtic Park. Picture Margaret McLaughlin

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Section B: Armagh v Derry (tomorrow, The Athletic Grounds, 2pm)

THE winners of tomorrow’s Cathedral City clash will be in the box seat to top the group and clinch a coveted semi-final berth.

Both sides won their opening games in a competitive Section B. Armagh travelled to wet and windy Pairc Esler on Wednesday night and breakaway second half goals from Andrew Murnin and Ronan Lappin sent them on their way to a five-point victory.

Meanwhile, Damian McErlain’s Oak Leafers got over their January blues to beat a star-studded Ulster University side at Celtic Park by a point. That victory got former Derry minor boss McErlain off to a winning start at senior level and he will be much more optimistic about his side’s prospects for the season if they can get past Division Three rivals Armagh on their home patch tomorrow.

The Orchardmen looked strong and fit against Down in the first half at Newry but their hosts got a foothold in the match after they switched from fruitlessly trying to run through the Armagh defence and kicked passes quickly to the impressively mobile Conor Maginn who gave them an attacking bridgehead by making light of a greasy ball and the heavy surface.

McErlain would be well advised to adopt the same tactics, otherwise Armagh’s extra physicality suggests that the turnover count will be high tomorrow.

With his Slaughtneil contingent missing, the Magherafelt native has packed his panel with fresh faces and there will be no changes for the trip to The Athletic Grounds.

“It’ll be the same squad and a much tougher game,” said McErlain.

“Obviously Armagh are an experienced county side and Kieran (McGeeney) has been there for three years so he knows what they’re about and they’ll be well organised and they’re at home so we’re expecting an even tougher game.

“But we would hope to improve on Sunday and bring our game to it as well.”

Derry went through a recovery session on Thursday night and watched a ‘walk through’ of the UU game afterwards. McErlain is confident his side will improve throughout the McKenna Cup which will lead into a National League campaign that starts with the visit of Westmeath on January 28.

“Division Three is the target,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough because we have six of the squad not available for it but we have to get our own house in order. Division Three is the first target and we have to take it from there and win as many matches (as we can).

“It’s going to be seriously tough and there are no easy games in it at all. That comes down to the players and their shape and who’s available. We had 12-13 players who weren’t available tonight and seven or eight or them may be available in the League so a few players makes a massive difference to how you play or how you intend to play and whether it comes off for you or not.”

Of course Armagh – who were pipped at the post last year – will have the same target in mind. Manager Kieran McGeeney has lost a half-dozen potential starters since 2017 but his charges began the year with intent and purpose against Down and McGeeney will have been encouraged by the performances of speedy Forkhill defender Patrick Burns and Maghery’s Ronan Lappin against Down.

Elsewhere, Aidan Forker, Andrew Murnin, Niall Rowland, Charlie Vernon and full-backs Aaron McKay and Paul Hughes were among the others who showed well and McGeeney will also have Miceal McKenna available this season after the Grange clubman missed out last year.

While Armagh put together some good spells (particularly in the first half) in Newry, they were never totally convincing against Down. Neither were Derry in their win over UU but, with very little football played yet, that’s what you expect in January.

You can expect better from both sides tomorrow and, with the carrot of topping the group and the guarantee of at least one more extra match, to encourage them, Armagh’s extra layer of experience should see them home in a high-scoring, entertaining affair.

Win tickets to the

Dr McKenna Cup final

Have your say and be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the Dr McKenna Cup final this month.

Everyone who sends in a comment to Off The Fence up to January 24 will go into a draw for a chance to win the tickets.

A selection of your comments will appear in Thursday's Irish News print edition and on our website at www.irishnews.com

Contact us by ...

EMAIL: offthefence@irishnews.com

PHONE: 24-hour Comment Line on 028 (048 from Republic) 90337457

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/irishnewssport/

TWITTER: direct message us at www.twitter.com/irishnewssport