5 crucial areas where the Ulster Final will be won and lost

The performance of Michael Murphy.

Murphy has been quiet by his high standards in the Ulster campaign so far, and his role on Sunday will be crucial in determining who takes home the Anglo Celt Cup. Entrusted with the captaincy at the start of the year, Murphy impressed during the league, but has found the going tough during the Championship. However, the former young player of the year’s confidence will be high after playing a pivitol role in helping Glenswilly defeat Naomh Conaill in the Donegal Senior Championship two weeks ago. The Derry Defence will worry about Murphy, after he scored 0-5 in their Championship encounter in 2009, while he caused havoc scoring 1-5 against them in the league earlier this term. Donegal will need another big performance from their captain if they are to be victorious on Sunday.

Midfield battle

The most important position on the field and a sector where Derry are strong. Traditionally, Derry have always produced excellent midfielders. Brian McGilligan and Anthony Tohill were two of the finest midfielders of their generation, while more recently Fergal Doherty was unlucky not to collect an All-Star. Their current partnership of Joe Diver and Michael Friel dismantled Armagh’s midfield in the semi-final, and with the evergreen Enda Muldoon helping out in this area too, the Derry midfield is a formidable opponent. The Donegal midfield of Rory Kavanagh and Kevin Rafferty struggled against Tyrone in the semi-final, and with both men carrying injuries into the game, it may prove a difficult task to break Derry’s stranglehold in the middle of the park.

Neil McGee v Caolan O’Boyle

With Eoin Bradley ruled out of the game through injury, much of the attention will be on who fills the number 14 jersey. Mark Lynch could occupy the position, but it is seems unlikely that Derry boss John Brennan would remove him from the half-forward line after his performance against Armagh. Bradley’s likely replacement therefore, is Caolan O’Boyle. O’Boyle, who stands at 6 ft 4”, is relatively untested at this level, but did impress against Donegal in the league when he scored 2-1. Derry used the tactic of kicking in high ball, and this caused the Donegal defence lots of problems. Neil McGee has been in excellent form this year, and he will be determined to ensure Donegal go through their Ulster Campaign without conceding a goal. He coped sufficiently with Cavan’s aerial bombardment in the quarter final, when David Givney was moved to full forward, and he will have to be equally as vigilant to keep out the oak leaf men.

The Substitutes bench

Donegal have put a lot of emphasis on substitutes this year, and their bench looks very strong. With experienced players like Neil Gallagher, Eamon McGee and Christy Toye all available, Donegal have a lot of big match experience in reserve. Marty Boyle showed that he was more than capable of playing inter-county football against Cavan. While Dermot Molloy and Michael Hegarty have both made big impacts when introduced. Derry’s bench appears less strong, with a lot of inexperienced players being called upon so far this year. Emmet McGuckin and Colm McGoldrick are the likely replacements for forwards, while Ciaran Mullan, Kevin McCloy and the returning Gerard O’Kane will provide defensive cover. With the pace of the game expected to be fast and the intensity high, a big onus will be on substitutes to provide the fresh legs to secure victory for their respective teams. Which side’s bench has the biggest effect when introduced, may be a deciding factor.

Derry’s ability to take long-range points.

Donegal’s defensive system has proven to be very successful so far, but perhaps faces it’s most difficult opposition so far this year, in the Ulster Final. With Donegal players flooding back into their own half, and blocking off passes to the Derry inside forwards, Derry will have to look elsewhere for scores. This means that their half forwards, midfielders and half-backs have an added responsibility to provide points. Tyrone struggled against Donegal, as they were forced into kicking wides from difficult angles. However, Donegal’s system will suit Derry, as their half back line of Charlie Kielt, Barry and Sean Leo McGoldrick are all comfortable on the ball and renowned point scorers. Add this to the scoring prowess of Mark lynch, Enda Muldoon and James Kielt, and Derry are more than capable of upsetting Donegal’s defensive system. Donegal will have to prevent them from scoring long range points if they are going to be Ulster Champions.

Verdict: Donegal to win by two points in a tight, tough game. Don't expect a classic.