Football

Derry’s destiny in their own hands

Derry team and manager Damian McErlain prepare to face Offaly at Celtic Park last month. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin.
Derry team and manager Damian McErlain prepare to face Offaly at Celtic Park last month. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin. Derry team and manager Damian McErlain prepare to face Offaly at Celtic Park last month. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin.

It might not quite be ‘Super Sunday’, but tomorrow’s games could prove crucial at the bottom of Division Three.

All four sides are in the danger zone battling a fellow relegation rival in the four way shoot-out to survive.

Sligo and Offaly cross swords at Tullamore, while at Celtic Park Derry face basement side Wexford with Derry manager Damian McErlain anxious to see the Oakleaf support out in force.

“It’s a big game for us,” said McErlain.

“We’re at home and when you look at how instrumental the Armagh crowd (last week) were for them it helps. It would be great to see Derry supporters coming out when they need them most.

“The lads are putting in the same effort as every other team and deserve a lot of support.”

It’s a little too early to be writing the death notice for Derry’s Division Three status with a home win in this ‘four-pointer’ affording them a little breathing space.

Defeat for Wexford, however, could certainly sound the death knell for Paul McLoughlin’s team who have yet to find a win all season.

But despite those five consecutive defeats – a run which began away to Fermanagh with a 3-7 to 2-5 loss and ending on the wrong side of a 0-16 to 1-10 scoreline at home to Westmeath last time out, Wexford have been competitive in every match without quite stretching their necks over the finishing line.

And, with just one more round to come, Derry will be under no illusion that tomorrow’s visitors to Celtic Park will be just as hungry as themselves for a much needed two points.

Defeats to Westmeath, Longford, Fermanagh and Armagh have left a few thinking the unthinkable in the Oakleaf County, but Derry’s destiny is still very much in their own hands.

Added to that manager McErlain should have the luxury of fielding his strongest side of the season to face the beleaguered Slaneysiders, with Padraig Cassidy coming in for his first start of the season to provide added athleticism for Derry.

The inclusion of Karl McKaigue will also tighten up Derry’s defence, with young Conor McCluskey expected to start again after impressing in the first half against Armagh last week.

McErlain, however, admits he’s wary of throwing all the returning Slaughtneil players back into the deep end of a relegation quagmire.

“We’ll be managing them over the next few weeks,” he stressed

“Even Brendan Rogers had to come off with a bit of a hamstring that he probably didn’t even know he was carrying, such is the level of fatigue in those (Slaughtneil) guys. They had heavy programs over the winter and it’s taken a physical toll.”

That said, Derry’s strongest bench of the year will also feature the rehabilitated Michael Bateson and Jack Doherty who have both been passed fit if required at some stage tomorrow.

Brendan Rogers looks likely sit this one out, while clubmate Shane McGuigan could well be unleashed for the first time this season.