McGarvey’s eyes fixed on another Royal Rumble

DERRY have won their last four games but manager Johnny McGarvey only has Meath in his sights ahead of Saturday’s Christy Ring Cup clash at Celtic Park.

The Oakleafers came from behind to beat London on Sunday in Ruislip thanks to two goals from Cormac O’Doherty.

“To be fair for 45 minutes they were probably the better side,” McGarvey said of Sunday’s win.

“We had to dig it out and we did but we never really panicked. We always felt we’d get a wee patch in the match where we’d get the shots and we’d get the scores and to get ourselves back into it. That’s exactly how it panned out at the end.”

It was the Sleacht Néill man’s first scores of the season having missed the early part of the league through injury.

It has been Christy McNaughton and John Mullan who have carried most of the scoring but McGarvey hailed O’Doherty’s input against London when the chips were down.

“To be successful you need more, it can’t be on him all the time and thank God this season it’s not on him,” he said.

“What a time to pop up with 2-3 from play, just when the boys needed him. Up he stepped and that’s the sign of the man, the sign of the leader that he is for us.”

It has been a mixed season. After an opening day win over Tyrone, Down dished out a lesson at Owenbeg. There was a tough away day against Kerry before some shoots of hope in defeat to Kildare.

Since then, wins over Meath and Donegal eased any relegation worries but McGarvey points to Kildare as the turn.

“We had a few lads back (from injury) and we thought we played reasonably well that day,” he said.

“Fair enough we got well beaten because they’re a really good side, but we felt that day that there was a wee turn in momentum in how we were going.

“We have really carried that through since then but, for me, it’s about navigating every game as they come.”

A cliché but true. The next game always rules. With Meath losing at home to London, it’s very close to a must win game for the Royals.

“London have to go to Wicklow and they have to go to Donegal, so there could be twists in the tail yet,” McGarvey said.

“But, given how decent a side they are, I think I’d be quite surprised if they lose again, although Wicklow have started (the Christy Ring Cup) very well.”

There were a few bangs from the win over London, but nothing that will keep anyone out of Derry’s selection plans this weekend.

The Oakleafers were without Cahal Murray (shoulder) and Gerard Bradley (calf) on Sunday.

Speaking to Gaelic Life on Monday, McGarvey said he’d wait to see how the duo progress this week but feels the Meath game may come too soon.

“That’s where the squad and the panel comes in and everything that we talk about,” he said.

“Christy (McNaughton) was man of the match last week and John (Mullan) got six points from play (against Donegal).”

Neither got to the same heights in London but McGarvey was happy how others put up their hand.

“Decky Foley came in, wasn’t in the 26 the week before,” the Derry boss said.

“He got five from play. Cormac stepped up with 2-3. Eamon Conway didn’t score the previous week and he got four from play.

“Ruairí (Ó Mianán) popped up with a massive score for us. If there’s a couple of lads missing, we’re very happy with the strength of the panel and where it’s at.”