ULSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
Derry v Donegal
Celtic Park, 2pm
Live RTÉ 2
Championship acts like a corrective lens, tightening the focus on the fuzzy assumptions that shroud fixtures like this when they are being viewed from a distance.
The narrative changed from a belief that Donegal would have too much big-match craft for Derry when the draw was made last year because of the respective displays in the league.
Unfortunate conclusion
Derry were on many short-lists for relegation from Division One but instead battled and thrived and reached the final and if they ended up underneath the wheels of the Dublin juggernaut, there had been enough positives from the campaign to chalk the unfortunate conclusion down to experience.
For their part Donegal were hotly tipped to fly back to the top division after their awkward sojourn in Division Two. That’s how it turned out but the performances along the way stuttered at times and in the divisional final they looked fatigued and short of ideas when losing to Monaghan.
Yet, as time has passed over the last month – which included further bad news for the 2012 All-Ireland champions with the departure of former All Star Mark McHugh from the panel – the word is that turbulence has calmed in Donegal.
The panic over centrefield has abated with Neil Gallagher now expected to start and less gloomy analysis of the league final, on the basis that the team were just back from an energetic training camp in Portugal, puts their chances into perspective.
You wouldn’t want to write Derry off too quickly. Their performances in the league were genuinely impressive and in captain Mark Lynch they had one of the best players in the competition and the attack was game against Dublin although starved of rations by tactical caution.
The centrefield of Fergal Doherty and Patsey Bradley has been solid although its mobility was exposed by Dublin and the expected return of Gallagher to Donegal’s engine room will put them under pressure. Seán Leo McGoldrick’s return will be welcomed but reports of recent club activity suggest that his recovery from the knee injury has been taking time and any inhibition would play havoc with his running game.
Word in Donegal is that Jim McGuinness has been methodically tweaking the game plan with a view to unveiling the new approach in Celtic Park.
Furthermore it's not expected to involve a tactical throwing of caution to the wind, instead there will be a new emphasis on defence and flooding Derry's attacking areas in order to take the sting out of the home side's anticipated press.
Looseness of defence
It makes some sense in that the greatest fall-off in Donegal's performance levels since the All-Ireland has been in the uncharacteristically accommodating looseness of their defence. That will have to change.
It is expected that Eamonn McGee will pick up Lynch and attempt to block him out of the match. If the Derry captain is silenced half of Donegal’s work is done.
There are two competing urgencies at Celtic Park. If Derry don’t win, their promising season to date will have delivered like last year another first-round defeat at home whereas if Donegal lose, the inexorable decline since winning the All-Ireland will have continued if not accelerated.
The nagging problem for Derry, however, is that their ability to do what's necessary at championship time has to be taken on trust. Donegal's doesn't and that can prove decisive.
Last meeting: The 2012 Ulster quarter-final in Ballybofey, won by Donegal 2-13 to 0-9.
Odds: Derry 5/6, Donegal 6/5 and the draw is 15/2. Injuries: Derry are likely to be without James Kielt, who is still struggling to recover from a groin injury but Seán Leo McGoldrick is likely to be back after the knee problem picked up in the league final against Dublin. Donegal's main injury concern Neil Gallagher has recovered and is expected to start.
Suspension: Donegal are missing Rory Cavanagh after his red card in the Division Two final.
Just the ticket: Stand sold out but some terrace are available while stocks last at €15/£13 (adult) and €5/£5 for under-16s. Discounted tickets for OAPs and student, €10/£9 available only through county boards.
Verdict: Donegal to win.
