Was this the day Derry's young players made a state-ment of their intent? Only time will answer that question. However, from the moment Limavady's Dessie Loughrey finished a rebound to the net to repel Donegal's final assault, this Derry squad had one hand on the Buncrana Cup. Ten minutes later it was two.If it's true that adversity can either make or break a team, then the fact that when facing a highly rated Donegal outfit Derry had a host of injuries and omissions, as well as being without both midfielders from the semi-final, speaks volumes for the character and fighting spirit of this group of players.
Having qualified for the final stages with victories over Fermanagh and Armagh, Derry faced a tough Monaghan team at Muff GAC. After a bright opening Derry took an early lead. Indeed, had the finishing in front of goal been more clinical, this game could have been over midway through the first half. With the Farney starting to gain a stronghold around the middle, Derry were rocked back by a Mona-ghan goal to leave only two points between the sides at the break.
After trading early scores in the second half and with some changes in personnel, Derry took a vice-like grip of this game thanks to the dominance of midfielders McAtamney and Gorman. With McNicholl and Moore accurate up front, the key moment of the game came after a surging run by Loughrey down the right hand side. The Limavady man centred to Claudys Blaine Carlin who was fouled whilst rounding the Monaghan goal-keeper. The resultant penalty kick was clinically dispatched by Conor McAtamney to give Derry the cushion they needed. The game ended Derry 1-13 Monaghan 1-5.
The win was not without a downside however as Derry‟s penalty taker suffered concus-sion ruling him out of the final against Donegal in Buncrana. Further injuries and fatigue due to a hard week of club action meant Derry‟s management team now had to earn their corn.
The team was drastically changed for the final drawing upon the entire resources of the squad. With Conor Murphy moved to midfield (where his father Plunkett led Derry to Anglo-Celt glory in 87) and partnered by centre half forward Gerard Bradley, Derry began the final in bright fashion.
McNicholl and Moore gave an exhibition of long range point taking seemingly hitting the target with every effort. Left and right hand side - same result. At the other end Donegal were also beginning to punch holes in the Derry rearguard. Like the semi final Derry were again hit with a three-pointer which threatened to unbalance their challenge. Despite scoring 0-11 in the first half with a very credible ten points from play, Derry only led by four at half time (0-11 to 1-4).
Further blows were dealt to the squad by the loss of Ryan McDonald and Padraig Cassidy
in the first half. With a strong breeze in their backs for the second half Donegal now had every right to feel confident.
Tactically Derry played possession football in the second period, pinning Donegal in their own half for long periods. Direct running drew frees which were duly converted to keep the scoreboard ticking over. As expected, Donegal got their purple patch midway through the half reducing the deficit to three.
However, Derry dug deep and a 40 yard burst by Darryl Mullan resulted in a saved effort from Neil McNicholl. The keeper could only partially save, and an onrushing Dessie Loughrey finished the ball to the net to stretch the margin to six and effectively finish the game. A battling and gutsy last ten minutes meant Derry would retain the Buncrana Cup for the first time in their history with the trophy handed over to the two Conors (McAtamney and Carville) by Ulster GAA President Aogan Farrell.
If there was ever a victory for an entire squad of players, this was it. This was a victory for heart and determination as much as skill and ability. Long may it continue!
Well done to all the players and the development squad coaches who worked with the players not only this year but last year too!
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