McGarvey full aware of London challenge in top of the table clash

By Michael McMullan

IF going to the well two years ago isn’t enough of a reminder of what Derry will face when they take on London this weekend, then their result against Meath last weekend focuses the mind.

Johnny McGarvey’s side travel to Ruislip on the back of their win over Donegal last weekend. They were 1-30 to 4-19 winners in a blockbuster two years ago against the Exiles.

London hit an impressive tally to dispose of Meath in Trim last weekend and McGarvey stresses the size of his team’s task the weekend.

Derry were forced to dig deep to overcome Donegal at Celtic Park. It was a battle after they easily accounted for their north west rivals to secure their league status.

“I think the league match probably gave everybody a false idea of what Derry-Donegal would be like,” he told Gaelic Life.

“The pleasing thing was just getting another performance in and probably more pleasing than it was a battle.

“When I look at the results from the weekend and I’m looking for what’s the most pleasing thing, it’s probably London beating Meath. It focuses the mind on London and the fact that we had to come through a battle ourselves.

“The fact that it just focuses the mind to say that every game is going to be tricky in this competition.”

Derry travel on Saturday for Sunday’s game. While the logistics are different than the average game, they’ve experience from two years ago. And McGarvey references how they put to the pin of their collar. He expects nothing different this time around.

“I know that’s two years ago but then you look at the result of the weekend you know you need to be at it to get any sort of result in London.

“You see what they’ve done to Meath, we’re under no illusions as to what we’re going to be up against now in the weekend.”

His homework digs up Kilkenny native Jack Morrisey who bagged 2-5 last weekend despite not having hurled in the league. A scan through the names and their core is still in tact.

“They’re a good side,” McGarvey said. “They’ll need looked after but we consider ourselves to be a good side as well.”

There is an injury concern over inside forward Cahal Murray who left the pitch after coming down on the hard ground on the same shoulder that kept him out early in the season. McGarvey is hopeful the Swatragh man will available for selection this weekend.

“He was very sore after the match now,” he said. “We don’t think there’s anything broken or anything like that.

“He’ll certainly be travelling to London. If he can play he’ll be playing but I’d be very hopeful that he’ll be ready to go come the weekend.”