Gary Ferry, 8 Jul
Derry minor manager Damian McErlain was over the moon after the
county’s back to back All-Ireland minor titles.
In his fifth year as manager, across two stints, McErlain saw his team
come from behind to see off Armagh in Sunday’s showdown in Omagh.
“It’s first class to be honest,” McErlain said of Sunday’s win over
Armagh, their third of the season.
The sides were level six times across the game before Cody Rocks fisted
home what proved to be the match winning goal with nine minutes to go.
“The game was a massive challenge for us overall,” said McErlain, who
was impressed by Armagh’s performance in their win over Mayo.
“We probably played for 10-15 minutes and that was enough to get us
over the line. The goals, yes, were probably the key scores in the game
but I suppose when Sargie (James Sargent) kicked a point we settled for
that 10 or 15 minutes and took over.”
Derry were 0-3 to 0-1 after a bright start before Armagh clawed
themselves back on level terms. They needed Jack McCloy and Padraig
Haran to shut down to goal chances before Sargent bagged a 20th minute
penalty for a 1-3 to 0-3 lead.
It was Armagh who finished the half with a flourish to level matters
but it was the middle of the second half before Derry got a grip on the
game again.
“We were carrying the ball into the tackle and making it difficult for
ourselves,” McErlain said of their first half performance.
It was Armagh’s scores off turnovers that hurt Derry and they went 0-9
to 1-4 ahead after 42 minutes before Derry had their spell.
“We started to win the ball, started putting far more pressure on,”
McErlain said of the momentum change before Cody Rocks scored his
side’s second goal “Around the middle, our key players started to stand
up. Sargent, Luke Grant and Eamon (Young) really started to come in and
help us out there…they won the match.”
It still took some key moments. A second vital catch by goalkeeper Jack
McCloy. Ronan Canavan coming out of a ruck. Turlough McHugh swatting
away a dangerous ball. It even came down to Sargent emerging with the
ball from Armagh’s last attack.
“I thought we had to fight very, very hard for decisions,” McErlain
added. “Some of the things we were getting punished for just wasn't
happening at the other end.
“Ronan Canavan, he was absolutely mauled and then the next thing you
get a play-off for over carrying or something, that's a point so we
felt there's a number of those but we got over the line despite that.”
McErlain heads to Centre Parks on holiday this week. The irony of it
all. It was there, two years ago, he received the phone call to return
for a second time as minor manager.
Looking back, McErlain hails the quality of the players in the county
over the last two seasons. The depth has left selection calls
difficult.
“They've put in the same yards, the same work and you don't get on to
the pitch in an All-Ireland final day,” he said of his panel. “That's
why you're fit to produce teams because you have a depth of quality.
“There's lads maybe not even on the squad that would be in other squads
and getting developed too. Look, I’m just elated to have maximised our
potential I suppose is the key thing.”
Despite having a core of their 2023 winning squad will on board, Derry
were pushed to the ping of their collar their win over Tyrone in the
Ulster semi-final.
A second half showing did the trick. It was the same against Armagh
(twice), Kerry and Dublin to get their hands on the Tom Markham Cup
again.
“There's different questions and different answers needed in the
different days,” McErlain said.
“Every day the boys showed not just the character and the appetite for
the game whenever it's the melting pot but the intelligence and the
quality that's needed to get over the line to win all irons.
“To win All Irelands everything has to be right. I've learnt that the
hard way previously and thankfully we've got it right these two
years.”