Derry Senior Football Manager Damian Barton sits down to discuss this Sunday's Ulster Senior Football Championship clash against Tyrone in Celtic Park (throw-in 2pm) as both sides look to advance to the Semi-Finals of the Ulster Championship. The Derry manager discusses his side's preparations heading into the game, the strengths of opponents Tyrone and his hopes for the 2016 Ulster Senior Football Championship. Tickets for Sunday's game in Celtic Park, Derry are available for purchase from selected SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide, as well as from ticket outlets on matchday.
Sunday May 22
Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final
Derry v Tyrone, Celtic Park, 2pm
By Cian O'Connell
Tyrone know that there is something about Derry. A week before Tyrone captured the Allianz Football League Division Two title Sean Cavanagh spoke about the familiarity between the teams.
The Red Hands have defeated Derry in the Dr McKenna Cup and League already in 2016, but Cavanagh is aware of the danger that awaits in Celtic Park despite Tyrone’s recent record.
“We have to be cautious, the fact that we have actually won those games, we probably didn't deserve to win the McKenna Cup Final, we got a couple of points towards the end to grab a draw out of that and force it into extra time,” Cavanagh said.
“But it's a dangerous position for us because you don't want to be going into any game with any sort of preconception that you could possibly win the game and it's perfectly set up for Derry to come in to ambush us in Celtic Park to a certain extent.
“The McKenna Cup game, both teams were trialling players, the O'Fiach Cup game, both teams were trialling players, the League game there was still a number of players being trialled, but the real deal is going to come in Celtic Park and we have to be ready for it.”
Ciaran Mullan returned to the Derry panel under new manager Damian Barton.
Gaining in belief and confidence Tyrone remain utterly respectful of what Derry can do, especially when the mood strikes.
The Allianz Football League brought mixed tidings for Derry, winning two, drawing two, and losing three.
Ciaran Mullan has made a welcome return for the Oak Leafers under Damian Barton, and he admits it has been a curious campaign so far. “If you were following Derry this year, you wouldn’t be too impressed with Derry,” Mullan reflects.
“We got off to a good start, could maybe say we were playing the weaker teams, but where does it go. We are quietly confident. We are looking forward to getting in to play Tyrone at home in the Championship.”
It is precisely in this type of demanding environment in which Derry want to examine where they are truly placed according to Mullan. “Who else would you rather play? You want to beat the best teams.
Tyrone captain Sean Cavanagh.
“The thing is once you beat Tyrone you have Monaghan, Armagh, who else, Donegal, Monaghan, sitting there waiting for you. We are really looking forward to it and we are going to give it a good rattle and I think it’s going to be a brilliant day in Celtic Park and I think we have got enough to do the business.”
Mullan believes that Derry possess the ability to stitch a decent Ulster Championship run together. “Definitely, there is quality players there. We have a great bunch of players there at the minute and you just never know what can happen. Winning is a habit, you win once, you win the next day, you can win Ulster. It’s only a couple of teams so optimistic, yeah, looking forward to the Championship and bring on Tyrone.”
