By Michael McMullan

THE story of Derry’s championship win over Antrim was in two parts – the number of goal chances created versus the two they actually converted.

It was the opposite of the day Louth bolted the back door on them in Ardee but coach Martin Boyle takes their change a step further.

He steps back to their win over Cavan on the final day of the league with an unconvincing performance.

“The Cavan game was a point of reference for us quite a bit, in terms of how we attacked, our mindset to attack and our mindset in possession,” he said.

It was a reminder of what passive looked like and why they needed more punch going forward.

“One of the cornerstones of what we went after was trying to be more proactive in possession and force the terms,” Boyle said.

“We wanted to dictate the terms much more and try to impose your will and personality on the game.

“I felt we did early on, we were really happy with our performance on the front foot in the first half.

“The hardest thing is always creating the chances, so finishing the chances will hopefully come.”

Boyle is a former minor manager and one of Ciarán Meenagh’s trusted lieutenants as they prepare for a shot at Monaghan on Sunday.

The prize is two-fold. A place in an Ulster final and a home draw when the All-Ireland series kicks into gear.

“It’s a huge game and the prize was always going to be huge,” Boyle said.

“As Chrissy (McKaigue) always references, and he’s 100 per cent right, Derry’s history in the Ulster Championship isn’t too inspiring.

“Any opportunity we can try to an Ulster final and all the experience that it brings, you have to go for it big time.”

Boyle references Monaghan’s win over Cavan and how their league record, that included relegation, faded into insignificance.

Dangers

“They were down so many men during the National League and you could see the dangers and the attacking prowess that they have,” he said.

“Monaghan’s recent record in the championship is to be taken very, very seriously.

“The one thing about Monaghan is they always turn up in championship and that’s to their eternal credit.”

While Boyle’s former minor All-Ireland winning captain Matthew Downey is expected to be back in contention, he pointed to how important Killian Lavelle and Conor McCarthy are to Monaghan.

“Ryan Wylie, Gary Mohan, those boys will not be far away,” he concluded. “They’re all household names, so they’re going to present a formidable challenge.”