Glen must improve despite victory: McFaul

By Michael McMullan

GLEN captain Ciaran McFaul is aware of the improvement needed ahead of Sunday’s Round 2A clash with Bellaghy.

The Watties were 14 points up at a stage last weekend before Banagher doubled their goals tally en route to a 2-20 to 4-7 victory for Glen.

Alex Doherty and Emmett Bradley led the scoring charge for the recent All-Ireland champions but McFaul admits there is work be done this week.

Speaking after the game, and before the draw was made, McFaul admitted there were some concerns from Banagher’s comeback.

“To be honest with you, we’re not happy with conceding any score, but particularly goals and especially that third one,” he said. “We were dominating the game but at least it gives us something to work on.”

Derry CCC have retained their ‘backdoor’ format, which is similar to this year’s All-Ireland Senior Championship structure. The winners of Glen and Bellaghy will book a quarter-final berth this weekend and avoid the need for a Qualifier game.

There is a short turnaround and it is all about fine-tuning things from a tactical perspective ahead of Sunday’s match in Find Insurance Owenbeg.

“We do a lot of work to do, not physically – tactically we have a lot to work on,” McFaul said. “Now we’re in the hat and we’ll sit back and see who’s next.”

With no county involvement this season, McFaul has been the fresh axis around which manager Finnian Moriarty has built his team.

When Glen hit their second goal on Sunday, it was his kick pass that opened up the Banagher defence. Ethan Doherty picked up possession without even breaking stride. Seconds later his brother Alex had the ball in the net.

“You can always look up for that kick-pass,” McFaul said of what the new look game brings with fewer players dropping back.

“The forwards are getting excited because there’s always three men up, so there’s no blanket defence and it just lets you play football again.

“Through minors and through underage, all you wanted to do was kick the ball forward.”