“I want a proper final next year, with us two men back.”
That was the message Paddy Bradley delivered to Kevin Cassidy, which he recounted
in the infamous ‘This is our year’ book, following the news that Eoin Bradley
would be joining his brother in the stands for last year’s Ulster final.
Bradley, who was out with a cruciate knee injury, probably
realised that Derry’s chances had gone when his brother Eoin got injured in Ballinascreen
on the Sunday before their clash with Donegal. Derry went into the game without
their two most potent attackers, and their final tally of eight points shows
that the absence of the Bradley brothers was one of the primary reasons that
Donegal won the Anglo Celt Cup.
Almost a year later, Cassidy has since departed from the
Donegal county panel, but Bradley and Derry now have their chance to get
retribution for that defeat in Clones. Albeit, at the earlier stage of the
quarter-final.
The Derry management team felt they were hard done by in
last year’s final. The controversial awarding of a penalty proved to be the
catalyst for Donegal’s victory. Michael Murphy’s penalty was the turning point,
given Donegal a lead of three points, a lead they would never relinquish. Derry
were also denied a penalty themselves, when Neil McGee’s frontal charge on
Emmet McGuckin was not penalised.
The return of Paddy Bradley is a massive boost to Derry.
They lacked a focal point in the Ulster final last year, with Neil McGee dominating
Cailean O’Boyle. This forced them into hand-passing laterally across the field,
which the Donegal defence had no problem in mopping up. Bradley has indicated
that this may be his last year in the oak leaf jersey and he will be determined
to win that elusive Ulster medal before he hangs up his boots.
There is uncertainty regarding Eoin Bradley’s participation
in Ballybofey, with reports circulating that he is not yet match fit. If he
does make it, the match-ups on the field will be fascinating. Which Bradley
will Neil McGee pick up? Does Declan Walsh have the necessary experience to
curtail either of them? Eamon McGee has returned from injury and could be used,
while there is always the option of moving Karl Lacey back into full-back line
to nullify the danger. However, Donegal will lose his impetus in the half-back
line as a result.
Likewise, Donegal go into Saturday’s clash with injury
doubts of their own. Rory Kavanagh faces a fitness battle to make it, while
Michael Murphy’s preparations have not gone to plan. A lot will depend on the
role the Glenswilly man has on Saturday. He has a hugely impressive record
against Derry. With Kevin McCloy and Kevin McGuckin recently retired, Derry
appear to be lightweight in the full-back position, and this is an area Donegal
will be looking to exploit. Even, a second-half cameo role from Murphy may
prove to be the difference.
Derry’s league form was poor, winning just two games, and
narrowly avoiding relegation. They drew their last game with Louth in Celtic
Park, and this would certainly not inspire confidence, following the wee
county’s collapse against Dublin two weeks ago.
Much will depend on how much John Brennan’s charges have
improved from last year’s defeat to Donegal. On that day, they lost the
midfield battle and only converted eight of 22 scoring opportunities. While the
Kielt brothers, Charlie and James, kicked some superb scores, the vast majority
of their efforts were reckless and pointless. If they are going to beat
Donegal’s defensive system on Saturday, they simply have to improve in front of
the posts.
Donegal will take very little from the Cavan game. It was
over as a contest before half-time, and it will bear no reflection on Saturday’s
game. One worry would be over Paddy McBrearty’s lack of match practise in
recent weeks, but aside from that, the remainder of the side should be fresh.
Neil McGee struggled against Eugene Keating, but in a more competitive and
intense game, it is unlikely that the Donegal defence will allow any Derry
forward the time and space they afforded Keating.
I foresee Derry having trouble getting the ball to their
forwards, and Donegal attack should have too much ability for Derry’s defence. Donegal
have been hard to beat in MacCumhaill Park under Jim McGuinness, and I expect
them to win by a narrow margin in a low scoring affair.
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