McGarvey content with Oakleafers’ winning start

DERRY hurling manager Johnny McGarvey was “delighted” at getting their season off to a winning start even though they needed a second burst to win the game.

The Oaks led 0-14 to 0-1 at a stage in the first half before Tyrone pegged the margin back to five points before Corey O’Reilly’s goal shot them on the way to victory.

“I am delighted with the win, I really am, but just really disappointed with the way we played for the first 15 minutes of the second half,” said McGarvey, in his second season as Derry boss.

“Everything we talked about at half-time we didn’t do. We didn’t control the ball, we lost the breaks.

“Corey stepped up with a massive goal for us and it made a big difference for us. It turned the game and at that stage I thought we controlled the game until the red card and then there was the second red and the game was over after that.

“No, I’m over the moon to get a win. It is some difference from this time last year when we were beat out the gate by Kerry so I’m happy to get off with a win.”

Derry were relegated, on score difference, last season and McGarvey’s mantra is all about promotion.

Their next outing is Saturday’s visit to Letterkenny to take on a Donegal side who were winners at the weekend in Wicklow.

“Performances do matter,” he added. “If you want to improve then performances do matter so we will work on what we did wrong, try to continue to do what we did right and roll on to Letterkenny next Saturday.”