O’Neills Derry SFC final: Glen v Magherafelt (Sunday, Celtic Park, 3.30pm – extra-time if required)
ONCE you have climbed those steps to collect the Seamus Mac Ferran Cup, there is no escaping the eyes of Ulster the following year.
For long enough Glen were stuck in the shadows, provincial glory little more than a distant dream as Derry remained their Everest. But there was always the threat that, when the levee did eventually break, their surge would be hard to stop.
Against Magherafelt on Sunday, Malachy O’Rourke’s men bid for a third county crown in-a-row after the famine ended in 2021.
Favourites for Ulster already, considered All-Ireland contenders again with bitter memories of February’s controversial defeat to Kilmacud Croke’s fresh, spies will descend on Celtic Park from all corners in anticipation of future meetings with the men from Maghera.
Glen’s tag of ones to watch is well earned, with O’Rourke racing them lightly through the group stages before Ryan Porter’s conditioning programme cranked through the gears when the business end neared.
Having edged past neighbours Slaughtneil in a war of attrition two weeks ago, their season starts now.
Of the 15 players that started the All-Ireland final, 13 took the field against the Emmet’s – Danny McDermott coming in for Tiarnan Flanagan, while the one new/old face, Ciaran McFaul, has yet to make the major impact expected. Perhaps Sunday is when he steps up and grabs this championship by the horns.
Yet, while few are making the case for Magherafelt to halt Glen’s safe passage into Ulster, it is hard to escape the feeling that their qualities – and ability to match up in key areas – elevate Damian Barton’s men far beyond the role of plucky underdog.
Last year’s quarter-final meeting between the pair, as well as Glen’s trajectory thereafter, will have influenced the odds. But, while they won by six in the end, that was not a true reflection of a game that hung on a knife-edge until a brilliant Jack Doherty pass prised open the Rossas defence, leading to Stevie O’Hara’s crucial goal.
The 2019 final is another obvious reference point, with Magherafelt expected to adopt a similar approach by sitting deep before attempting to hit Glen on the counter. With Conor Glass still in Australia, they broke down Callum Mullan-Young’s kick-outs, winning 11 of 15 in the first half, Emmett McGuckin making hay around the middle as the screw was turned.
The greater variety of Connlan Bradley poses a different conundrum for Magherafelt, but they know that getting in the faces of Glass, McFaul and Emmett Bradley cancels out most of Glen’s threat from distance, opening the door to a frustrating afternoon.
Personnel-wise, the sides are well matched. Conor McCluskey has developed into one of the best defenders in Ireland, and appears set for an intriguing battle with Derry team-mate Ethan Doherty, or possibly Jack Doherty from centre-back.
Eoin McEvoy was a 15-year-old standing on the field with friends when Danny Heavron lifted the John McLaughlin Cup four years ago. His emergence has been huge for club and county.
McEvoy could well be pushed onto Emmett Bradley around the middle - allowing the in-form Danny Heavron more freedom to roam - with Dan Higgins an aerial match for Glass in the same sector. Up top, Shane Heavron has been shooting the lights out.
It remains to be seen whether Conor Kearns is fit enough to force himself into the reckoning for Sunday, but he would be a significant boost as Barton bids to capture a first county crown as manager.
In terms of athleticism and pace, Magherafelt possess the tools to give Glen all they want. Indeed, they are arguably a better side now than when claiming the county title four years ago – but so are Glen.
Conor Glass offers a calm assuredness that can draw the sting from any storm, while the tactical cuteness of O’Rourke and the experience of emerging from the trenches unscathed makes them formidable opposition for anyone.
Glen won’t have it all their own way at Celtic Park, but know-how acquired as silverware stacked up often shows itself on days like these. The eyes of Ulster are watching, ready for a familiar force to enter the fray.
