Cargin must do better, says Cassidy

CARGIN manager Damian Cassidy is not a man to mince his words.

So when the 1993 Derry All-Ireland winner reflects on what he feels is his team’s lack of success in the Ulster Club Championship, he does not pull any punches ahead of their preliminary round tie against Fermanagh representatives Derrygonnelly Harps tomorrow at Corrigan Park, Belfast (2.30pm).

“Most of the games that are played in the Ulster Club Championship tend to go down to the wire,” insists Cassidy. “Having said that, there is a feeling of frustration that my team have not represented themselves in the competition to the level we know they are capable of. They can do better this time round.”

Cargin carry a considerable raft of experience, with players such as Michael McCann, Kevin O’Boyle, James Laverty, Tomas McCann, Michael Magill, Tony Scullion and Justin Crozier to the fore.

In contrast, Ciaran Bradley, Jamie Gribbin, Patrick Shivers and Michael Clarke represent a corps of emerging starlets.

If Cassidy’s disappointment with his team’s indifferent run is palpable, then Derrygonnelly manager Brendan Rasdale is equally well acquainted with under-achievement.

One win in the competition in seven years does not quite ignite optimism for tomorrow’s contest.

“You are always going to be meeting top quality opponents at this level,” he insists.

His team is not short on substance and skill, with the Jones squad — Michael, Ryan, Leigh, Conal and Garvan — leading the way, while Stephen and Shane McGullion, Tiernan Daly, Eamon McHugh, Gavin McGovern and Kevin Cassidy are all renowned battlers and can step up to the mark.