Hurling & Camogie

Derry looking to shake complacency

Slaughtneil's Brendan Rogers is likely to assume a station on the edge of the square for Derry hurlers this weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Slaughtneil's Brendan Rogers is likely to assume a station on the edge of the square for Derry hurlers this weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Slaughtneil's Brendan Rogers is likely to assume a station on the edge of the square for Derry hurlers this weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Nicky Rackard Cup round 2A: Derry v Longford (tomorrow, 3pm, Owenbeg)

CALL it the weight of expectation or call it the comfort of coming at things with a strong hand but either way, Derry know what they’ve produced over the last fortnight will not do.

They were widely expected to enjoy a degree of ease against Tyrone in the Ulster shield final and then Louth in their Nicky Rackard Cup opener, but they ended up having to work much harder in victory that anticipated.

Perhaps the level of expectancy is slightly undue given that Derry were closer to being relegated from Division 2B than they were to be promoted, but the strengthening of the panel in recent weeks has brought a wave of optimism through the doors of Owenbeg with it.

With the business end approaching, tomorrow will see Brendan Rogers and Chrissy McKaigue both parachuted into the matchday squad for the first time this season.

The inter-county dual stars have agreed to help try and pull Derry back into the Christy Ring Cup and they will provide a huge boost to the attacking resources available to Collie McGurk.

Rogers on the edge of the square is a distinct possibility given the absence of Ruairi Convery, who will miss the game for personal reasons, having scored 11 points in the 2-17 to 2-12 win over Louth.

Paddy Henry’s attempted return last weekend as a late sub didn’t go to plan and he is ruled out for this afternoon’s tie with a Longford side that plied their trade two divisions below Derry in the League.

Captain Oisin McCloskey, Alan Grant and Eanna Cassidy are all doubtful with back injuries, while Liam Hinphey is yet to get the better of the hamstring trouble that has disrupted his season, although he did play last weekend.

The start of the Dublin senior club hurling championship also rules out Cuala brothers Naoise and Cian Waldron, who will be just setting foot out on Parnell Park an hour after Derry’s game finishes to begin the defence of their Dublin, Leinster and All-Ireland titles against Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Oak Leaf boss McGurk says they have spent the week trying to iron any complacency out.

“The performance wasn’t good enough the last day. We’d gone eight up in the first half and we should have pushed on and killed the game completely, but we allowed Louth back into it. It was disappointing.

“If it is [complacency], we’ve been trying to address that midweek. It might have been complacency alright. We did address it and we hope there won’t be a repeat.”

Longford picked up the Division 3B title at the beginning of the month, showing a great resolve to see off Liam Watson-inspired Warwickshire after extra-time.

Limerick native Cathal Mullane is one of the primary threats in their attack along with the experienced Seamus Hannon, while Paddy Farrington has been in scoring form through spring.

But their opposition so far this year has all been Lory Meagher teams. A bye through the first round promotes them through the front door of the Nicky Rackard, but that is likely to be as far as their challenge goes.

Derry will win, but it’s the performance that comes with it that they’ll be really looking for.