Derry still need to learn how to win big games
CLEARLY, obviously, they won and, as a matter of fact, the way they did it in the end was cold, it was clinical. These were really good penalties, firm, no messing, no over-thinking, just bang, bang, bang.
Derry were worthy winners of the final and of the competition. They emerged from last Sunday as genuine, bona fide contenders for the big one at the next of July and, yet, one isn’t quite wholly convinced of them yet either for the simple reason that we’re not sure they know how to win the big games.
That may seem contradictory considering that they did, in fact, win a big game, in Croke Park, and against Dublin no less. The thing is, though, this is a game that should never have gone to penalties. Hell, this is a game that shouldn’t have gone to extra-time in the first place.
Mickey Harte’s men played phenomenally well and, in the second half of the regulation seventy minutes in particular, having created a whole host of chances, going close to goal on five occasions, converting two of those opportunities.
At a certain point, though, that adventurous spirit rather came against them. With a pair of goals already in their column, Derry seemed to be trying to force another green flag and another and another when instead had they tapped over a few handy scores they’d have been far enough clear at the end to have avoided extra-time.
Were the boot on the other foot, we’ve little doubt but that Dublin would take the percentage option and tap or fist over the bar, keep the scoreboard ticking over, stretch the gap, take the points guys, the goals have already come. That’s what the really good teams do, they take what they can, when they can, don’t get over-excited.
It’s understandable to a degree. Dublin on the rack, space opening up in behind, putting a stake through their heart would seem to be the most sensible course of action as Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy and Lachlan Murray all sought to do. We can’t help but think of those chances, though, as three relatively nailed on points left behind.
As a punter we’re glad they didn’t convert them, as the ensuing drama held us rapt. Were we a Derry supporter, though, once the euphoria wore off (and it was one hell of a way to win a game of ball) we might think about it a little differently.
Derry have the players, and the management, to go really danged close to winning the thing this year, it would be a real shame of that last little bit of nous and know-how left them down.
Go back to last season and, while arguably better than Kerry in the All Ireland semi-final, they ended up watching the All Ireland final from the bleachers.
As it stands they’re the form team in the country at the moment, close enough to second favourites for Sam Maguire (league champions have a very decent record of doubling up), but they’ll need to be that much more clinical in the big games, against the big teams who know how to win.
We’d probably rank them just behind Dublin and just ahead of Kerry in the pecking order at the moment. Ask us who we think would win between Kerry and Derry and we’d still lean Kerry.
That’s Derry’s challenge over the next few months.