McErlain looks ahead as Derry step into knock-out phase

By Michael McMullan

DAMIAN McErlain will hope his Derry u-20 side can learn the lessons from Wednesday’s defeat to Donegal.

A draw would have been enough for the Oakleafers to remain on course to top the group and make the direct step into the semi-finals.

When Ger Dillon nailed his second two-pointer of the game, Derry looked like holding out for a share of the spoils.

They failed to manage the closing seconds, allowing a fourth Shane Callaghan point to win the game for Donegal.

Report: Donegal book semi-final spot with stoppage time winner in Derry

The game began with a Max Campbell goal after just 20 seconds but a palmed goal from Cody Rocks helped the home side back on level terms, 1-6 each, by half-time.

“It was a proper game between two good teams,” McErlain said. “We felt with Donegal getting the goal, more or less from the throw in, it set them up that they could dictate the game a good bit in the first half.

“I felt we were a bit off it in terms of our energy and bite towards the whole thing and then the second half we probably upped it but weren’t clinical enough.”

With both teams playing a similar style, it was cat and mouse for long periods before it kicked into action in the final quarter.

A 53rd Bliain McDaid point was the first score from play in the second half with both teams looking like could’ve pushed on for victory in the closing minutes.

“That’s the difference with a group game match, there is not the total jeopardy (of knockout),” McErlain said of the pattern of play.

Conor Doherty was the first man to lift the Danny Murphy Cup in 2018

“Nobody wanted to lose it and the team were keen enough to finish top of the group, and there was a bit more bite to it.

“We were down and then we had opportunities to manage the game out. A draw would have done us to top the group but our game management let us down a bit.

“We were holding the ball in tackles and you can’t do that against Donegal with the way they press and the quality that they have.

“Look, we are disappointed but we will learn an absolute mountain from this game. We have to take it away now and go through the quarter-final route, whoever comes through that.”

Derry play Antrim in Dunsilly next week in the final group game with a quarter-final coming down the tracks on Wednesday, April 15.

They will play the third-placed team from the other group. Armagh are top with two wins, Tyrone and Cavan have a win each with Down yet to pick up a victory.

Armagh welcome Tyrone with Cavan heading to Newry to face Down.

Current All-Ireland champions Tyrone needed a ‘back door’ via the quarter-final last season, a tight battle against Armagh before beating Derry and Donegal to land the Ulster title.

“I said before the championship started that that semi-final can be a difficult one to be sitting in and waiting on if you’re not playing well,” McErlain added.

Derry have no choice now and must win three knock-out games within a congested two-week period if they are to win the title for the first time in 2018.

“At the end of the day it will be all about ourselves, what we can take out of that game tonight and how we can go and improve again,” he said.

“You mightn’t get out of the quarter-final, that’s the thing. They are big games and that will be a titanic struggle no matter who you end up playing.

“If you can get out of it, the teams that come out of it are well chiselled I suppose for the next game, whereas if you are through now, you are sitting waiting for three weeks.”