Bord Gais Energy Ulster U21 Hurling Championship: Derry v Down (tonight, 7.30pm, Corrigan Park)
DERRY ended Antrim’s eight-year stranglehold on the Ulster U21 Championship last week – and tonight bid to land the title for the first time since 2008 when they take on Down at Belfast’s Corrigan Park.
The Saffrons had slayed the Oaks in three of the last four provincial deciders but, despite the two point margin at the final whistle, Collie McGurk’s men were good value for their 2-11 to 3-6 victory in Owenbeg.
Derry had to withstand a late onslaught from 14-man Antrim, who bagged two goals in the stages, before booking their spot in the final against Down.
The Ardsmen coasted home with a convincing 8-20 to 1-15 win against Armagh in their last four clash, but go into tonight’s game as underdogs.
McGurk’s side is backboned by players who featured in his senior panel this year, including the likes of Cormac O’Doherty, Brian Cassidy, Paddy Turner, Ciaran Steele, Sean Cassidy and Ruairi McCartney.
Yet McGurk is keen that his players keep their feet on the ground after last week’s upset.
“Down racked up a huge score against Armagh so it’s difficult to know what the value of either victory is,” said the Lavey man.
“Antrim have been the dominant force at this level for years so for us to put them away was good, it gives us confidence going into the final.
“There has been a good buy-in from the players, I’d say we’ve got 98 per cent of who we wanted out playing so that makes the job a lot easier.
“If people see us as favourites, it’s not something we can do anything about. It wouldn’t bother us.
“But we know there’s a game to be won and we have to put the Antrim game behind us. At the end of the day, it would mean a lot to win because it’s the chance to play in an All-Ireland semi-final and that’s where the players want to be.
“It’s the players’ ambition that counts, not the management. It’s about where they want to be.”
Derry, Down and Armagh still lag some distance behind Antrim in the overall provincial picture, and McGurk laughs off the suggestion that wins over the Saffrons at the underage grades could help close that gap.
“My long term thinking is to get this game out of the road,” he said.
“Five or six of the players are playing senior with Derry this year, so we’ve rejuvenated the squad as we’ve gone along.
“That should be the responsibility of anybody who takes a senior hurling team – what you leave behind.”
Marty Mallon, meanwhile, insists it is difficult to gauge exactly where his Down side is heading into tonight’s showdown.
Goals from Oisin McManus, Barry Trainor, Daithi Sands, Oisin Duggan, Pearse Og McCrickard and three from star turn Cormac Coulter did the damage as they cruised across the line against the Orchardmen.
Injury rules out Ballycran’s Gerard Hughes but other than that, the Down management team has a full hand to play with and Mallon says they are looking forward to the game.
“Derry are big favourites after beating Antrim but we’re going to go there and give it a lash,” he said.
“After the Armagh game, we’re not exactly sure where we are because the goals really killed that game off. Not being able to select minors has really hammered us this year, but generally we’re in pretty good nick.
“They’re all playing Antrim league hurling so that’s a positive for us. The boys are just looking forward to getting out there and playing the game now.”
Meanwhile, Cork take on Limerick in tonight’s Munster final at the Gaelic Grounds (7.30pm), with the Rebels U21s hoping to follow the lead of their senior hurlers who have surged to the All-Ireland semi-final despite being written off at the start of the Championship.
