ULSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL: Derry v Tyrone:DAMIAN CASSIDY'S patient rebuilding of Derry's football style was rewarded during the league when a good range of players got runs on the team, which still managed to take its title defence all the way to the final.
But tomorrow’s Ulster football semi-final is what the manager had in mind, the ultimate test.
This is partly because of Tyrone’s status as All-Ireland champions but also because Cassidy wanted to apply some of the same principles. An admirer of tomorrow’s opponents’ sheer adaptability, he wanted his team to have the interchangeability that fosters competition for places and leaves the side better served when the team loses players.
The latter consideration appears quite prophetic this weekend. The suspension of Fergal Doherty is particularly haunting because Cassidy was determined that the team should be able to respond better to the loss of key players having observed how badly affected Derry were 12 months ago by the absence of the centrefielder, who was banned for last year’s defeat by Fermanagh.
For once Tyrone are in a different position. Most of the county’s injuries have cleared up and, after a brief scare, team captain Brian Dooher is on the bench, ready to make an entrance.
Three years ago Derry defeated Tyrone, also then defending the All-Ireland, in their first match of the championship. It was achieved by out-harassing their opponents and a similar work-rate will be in evidence tomorrow. But at that stage Tyrone were not as settled as they are now.
The defeat of Armagh confirmed their ability to take vital scores at the right time in important matches. But the key factor has to be Derry: at full strength they would have a good chance of causing an upset but the number of absentees limits Cassidy’s options.
TYRONE: J Devine; PJ Quinn, Justin McMahon, R McMenamin; D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan; K Hughes, E McGinley; M Penrose, T McGuigan, Joe McMahon; S O'Neill, S Cavanagh, O Mulligan.
DERRY: B Gillis; K McGuckin, SM Lockhart, G O'Kane; C McKaigue, B McGuigan, SL McGoldrick; B McGoldrick, J Diver; E Brown, P Murphy, E Lynn; E Bradley, P Bradley, M Lynch.
Referee: Gearóid Ó Conámha (Galway).
In the last episode:Back in 2006 Derry surprised Tyrone in an ugly encounter in which Mickey Harte's men failed to score at all in the first half. Forward Enda Muldoon, one of Derry's missing injured tomorrow, scored 1-3 in a 1-8 to 0-5 victory.
You bet:Tyrone are clear favourites with the bookies at 8 to 15 with Derry at 21 to 10. The draw is tight enough at 7 to 1. (Boylesports).
On your marks:Although James Kielt is out injured, the full forward line is still central to Derry's prospects.
The Bradley brothers, Paddy and Eoin, who have at times struggled to dovetail in attack, will have to perform if the team is to reach the provincial final. As well as the need to score, there is also the requirement to prevent Tyrone working the ball out from deep, as Justin McMahon managed to do so effectively against Armagh.
Gaining ground:Casement Park was the venue for a replay between the counties six years ago at the start of Tyrone's first All-Ireland-winning season. Having laboured to a low-scoring draw in Clones, Mickey Harte's team opened up with a nine-point win in Belfast on the second day.
Just the ticket:The stand is ticketed at €25 or £20 but general admission will be taken on the gate, although early arrival is advised. Terraces cost €15 or £13.
Crystal gazing: League form isn't always a great indicator for the championship but last March's encounter pointed up the contrasting composure of the teams when, having missed a late free to give them a potentially decisive lead, Derry fell away and Tyrone pounced with a barrage of three points.
