Allianz Football League Division Three: Derry v Tipperary (tomorrow, 1pm, Celtic Park)
THOSE fortunate enough to have been in Cavan when these two teams met in a round four qualifier in 2016 will recall a hidden classic that ebbed for 70 minutes before it fell Tipperary’s way.
So much has changed for both counties since then. Neither team has hit those heights in summer and the fact that they are meeting in a crunch Division Three clash tells you about their spring pursuits too.
Anyone expecting an epic encounter such as that one three-and-a-half years ago may find themselves disappointed by two teams that are feeling their way into more rigid systems.
It’s well established that Tipperary have been shortened in attacking resources over the winter, with Michael Quinlivan and Liam McGrath opting out. They are sweating on Bill Maher and Robbie Kiely for this game, and their presence could be key given that they’re two of Tipperary’s best line-breakers when it comes to facing a mass defence.
“We could have four points and we could have had none,” said their boss David Power earlier this week, having seen his side draw with Down and then edge out Louth.
They are playing a very different brand of football themselves, a very untraditional style and not one that would have been associated with Liam Kearns’ reign.
Derry’s squad will be as it was last weekend. Niall Holly is awaiting a meeting with the specialist over a groin injury and Ruairi Mooney is sidelined with a similar strain. Neither will be about in the near future, while Niall Loughlin is aiming for the game with Louth in two weeks’ time.
Shane McGuigan and Alex Doherty were the inside forward pairing of choice in Newry and are likely to continue in attack ahead of Ryan Bell and Christopher Bradley.
Derry ought to have won in Newry but let it slip when their hosts were down to 14 men. They cannot afford to make that mistake again, and ought not to. Derry by two.
