This weekend sees the Ulster quarter finals, with Derry set to face Donegal. One side is currently a powerhouse in the sport, continuing to defend their Ulster title and seen as the team to watch out for. The other side is rejuvenating after two lukewarm championship seasons.
One side was extremely close to victory at last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, and they have their sights set on a full win this time. Their competitors are considered a mid-level team, capable of surprises but not in the running for the Sam Maguire cup.
One team is deliberately transitioning from a defensively constrained game to a more daring strategy that might help them win the big reward. Their opponents are still experimenting with their playing style to see what yields the best results.
Making sense of this so far? We are discussing things in a broad sense instead of specifically because the year we are focused on here isn’t 2024. It’s 2012.
The teams have swapped roles, with Donegal now being Derry and conversely, Derry being Donegal. The match takes place in Ballybofey instead of Celtic Park. The variables have changed, with Jim McGuinness still being the constant yet John Brennan replacing Mickey Harte.
We must stress that it’s not an exact like-for-like comparison. In the 2012 championship, Donegal wasn’t as favoured as Derry is now. The latter was rated 20-1 before kick-off, trailing behind other popular teams like Kerry, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Tyrone, and Mayo. However, as we stand today, Derry is considered to be one of the three teams that can go all the way.
However, the general sentiment remains. As it stands in 2024, Derry mirrors Donegal’s position during the same period in 2012. With Celtic Park set as the venue for this Saturday’s match, Derry seems to have the same upbeat spirit that Mcguiness’s team exhibited at MacCumhaill Park over a decade ago. The team is thriving, with fit players, complete focus, and preparation. They just need to put their best foot forward and execute their game plan.
“It’s a steady progression,” asserted Frank McGlynn, an all-star wing-back from 2012. “Enhancing every aspect in a single year and achieving the desired level in all domains is a daunting task. Earlier, there was always a hint of apprehension, doubt pervading before the games questioning, ‘Are we properly conditioned?’ or ‘Have we sufficiently practiced?’
However, all those concerns seemed to have faded away. You knew ahead of a match that adequate preparations were made. The strategies were put in place, every participant was aware of their responsibilities. This carried a wave of tranquillity in the dressing room. One could lay out their best performance in football without the fear and anxiety that might have existed in past years.”
Although McGlynn assures it’s not his intention to mislead you. Being a Donegal native and facing a match against Derry in the ensuing week, he is understandably temperate in showing his veneration. He doesn’t dismiss the possibility of an unexpected turn of events on Saturday and expresses a hope which all people from Donegal share, that Derry relinquished their All-Ireland title in the previous year. Still, he empathises with Derry’s present status.
Before a match, greeting the nation’s top forwards, and marching over to them thinking, ‘In terms of fitness, I’m your match’ or ‘As a team, we have the upper hand’, instils an enormous amount of self-belief. During critical junctures in matches, this self-assurance propels you to seek the ball rather than averting it.
The attacking component of Derry’s football has been commendable throughout the league. Their attack pattern is omnidirectional, ranging from corner-back to corner-forward. Nobody evades the ball during the crucial instances. During the league finale against Dublin, Derry took aggressive stances against Dublin’s kick-out when the situation demanded it. It’s invariably a positive sign within a group to possess the conviction for such pursuits.”
It’s remarkable to note the striking similarities between the two teams. Derry had an unbroken losing streak for 11 years against Tyrone in all competitions, devoid of even a McKenna Cup triumph from 2011 to 2022. Yet, their emphatic win of 1-18 to 0-10 two years ago against Tyrone, reigning All-Ireland champions at the time, heightened their self-belief and hinted at limitless potential.
Similarly, Donegal, whilst in its nascent stages under the tutelage of McGuinness, understood that their path to glory had to pass through Tyrone. So focused was their preparation that in their training sessions, some players sported Tyrone jerseys to foster the correct mindset. Upon defeating them in the 2011 Ulster semi-final, they were acutely aware of the gravity of the achievement.
McGlynn comments on critical milestones, “Every juncture on this journey is vital. From the beginning, Jim was adamant about our goals – Ulster titles and eventually the All-Ireland. However, reaching those milestones requires progression through a series of steps. Defeating Tyrone in 2011 was a significant event. If that didn’t instil faith…”
Yet, the crux of the matter remains belief, an elusive attribute. For teams like Kerry and the Dubs, faith comes easily. However, for counties which produce competitive teams once every few decades, history becomes a burden on belief, only relieved by unfamiliar triumphs.
“For us, the pivotal match was against Kerry in 2012,” recalls Eamon McGee, a corner-back for the team. “That match defined our career. Despite Kerry’s waning dominance and a superior Cork team, Kerry represented a symbol. Defeating Kerry, and leaving Croke Park permeated with confidence that we could contend against any opponent. The Ulster titles were desirable, but triumph over Kerry in Croke Park instilled in us that anything was possible.”
The league final that Derry won was a significant moment for them. It was their defining victory, achieved by conquering the Dubs in the prestigious Croke Park, fighting for a trophy. Even though the victory was decided on penalties, Derry proved they were superior. The Dubs, who typically have confidence in themselves, met their match in Derry who not only challenged them but also managed to navigate it successfully.
Prior to the league final, there were uncertainties regarding Derry’s performance. It’s imperative for a team to demonstrate their ability to perform at Croke Park, particularly against strong opponents like Dublin or Kerry. However, Derry has now shown their mettle. They challenged the Dublin team head-on, ultimately triumphing – a significant achievement for them.
Despite having proven themselves, Derry’s upcoming journey is an important challenge. Although they have talented players, a strong strategy and a sense of self-belief, they will have to face 15 other teams in the upcoming month. Their progression from Division Four to Division One doesn’t grant them any additional privileges, nor do their Ulster titles contribute to their current standings, even if they manage to secure a third consecutive win in the upcoming weeks.
To be crowned the All-Ireland champions, they must go through six, possibly seven, games. Simply aspiring to be champions isn’t enough – they must put it into action.
McGee points out the importance of focusing on the immediate task at hand. Every single game and training session counts. In the heart of the season, their coach, Jim, wasn’t looking too far into the future. Instead, he insisted on focussing on the routine tasks. The team ought to align with standards of an Ulster or All-Ireland champion during their training and preparation. He instilled confidence and belief in them but reminded them of the need to prove their worth in their preparation and lifestyle.
The risk lies in idly awaiting the event to unfold. Our league victory in 2007 led to increased speculation in the news about Donegal’s awaited flourish. There were predictions tipping us to outshine Armagh and Tyrone in the Ulster championship before it even began, but we stumbled at the finish line.
This is the moment of truth for Derry. They must not anticipate their successful league to effortlessly lead them to ultimate victory. The key resides in persistent self-challenging during training sessions and matches to attain the gold standard. With a capable team, one can expect Derry to maintain sky-high standards. Both Mickey Harte and Horse Devlin will ensure they hold the fort.
This year might symbolize a string of successful years for Derry. However, they first need to navigate through a season where they have everyone’s attention. The intelligent folks in the dressing room tonight are the best guiding forces they can get.