McIver learns lessons well

Ian O'Riordan sits in on an Ulster football final press conference where the main players give little away

Given their reputation for glasnost it's a little disappointing when an Ulster football final press conference produces more questions than answers. Joe Kernan and Brian McIver obviously weren't in the mood to give much away ahead of the Armagh-Donegal clash at Croke Park, although by simply sitting down together they captured the many contrasts of Sunday's game in Croke Park.

Kernan and Armagh, as familiar as an old friend. They come seeking their fourth Ulster title in five years, and third in succession, with a team still loaded with household names.

McIver and Donegal, a novelty item. They come almost as gatecrashers, with around half their team yet to play in Croke Park and perhaps defying even their own expectations.

For Armagh it's partly the now and partly about going a step closer to winning back the All-Ireland after four years.

For Donegal it's all the now and all about winning a first Ulster title in 14 years.

It starts, though, with the Ulster final of two years ago, when both teams went to Croke Park - the first final played outside the province since 1939 - and Armagh hammered home their superiority with a 13-point victory. Both teams have moved on since then, but Donegal have moved on a lot more.

And while McIver is in his first year as manager, he's enjoying a fast-growing reputation after orchestrating impressive wins over Down, and then his own county Derry.

"I think that win over Derry produced some of the best football I've seen this team play," admits McIver, who shares Kernan's joviality but obviously has a deep competitive streak hidden somewhere within.

"We know if we play like that again on Sunday we'll at least make it a really good final. We do lack a bit of experience, but you only gain experience by playing in big games.

"I mean we've seven lads playing in Croke Park for the first time, and that could work both ways. They could rise to it, or let the occasion get to them. There's no doubt Armagh will win hands down on experience, but I'm happy to give the lads the chance to get the experience."

McIver is still better known for taking Ballinderry to the All-Ireland club title in 2002. He also spent a year working with the Armagh club Dromintee, although Sunday's game won't be as personal as the Ulster semi-final against Derry. "There was a real personal element to that game. But I did learn a bit from my time in Dromintee. It got me used to the travelling, and I don't know if I would have taken the Donegal job without that. But I wouldn't say I've made any great effort to change things in Donegal. They have their own traditional style, and there was no way I could go in and take that away.

"We've been learning a lot, though, especially in losing the Division Two final to Louth. They say you can learn more from a defeat than a victory, and that was probably the case that day. We'll keep those lessons to ourselves for the moment, but we realised there were a few things we had to work on before the championship, and thankfully they have worked out for us so far. But Sunday is a totally different challenge again.

"When you talk about the top three in Gaelic football Armagh have been up there for a few years now. Their record speaks for itself, and to be going for a third successive Ulster title in this ultra competitive period is obviously some achievement. We're just going for three championship wins in a row, and that sums up the difference really."

Kernan is facing his fourth Ulster final as Armagh manager, but the motivation remains the same: "If you want to keep on winning then obviously it's important we're back here," he says. "And there's still a lot of pride in the team to get back in the Ulster final.

"And we were close last year, and maybe one kick of the ball prevented us from winning the All-Ireland again. All I can say is that I wouldn't like to have that same grievance next year.

"I'd like to think we've a stronger squad than before, with something like 15 or 16 new faces brought in since 2002. That's no disrespect to players that helped us win in 2002.

"Things have changed over four years, though it still boils down to the same things. Who can cope with the pressure on the day, and who wants it most. And without the bit of luck as well you've no chance."