Mickey Harte hails important Celtic Park win

Derry manager Mickey Harte said it was “very important” to get off to a winning start at Celtic Park after his side came from five points down to book a place in this weekend’s Mr Kenna Cup semi-finals. 

Of Derry’s seven league games on their return to Division One, four will be at Celtic Park as Tyrone, Monaghan, Dublin and Roscommon come to the banks of the Foyle. 

“There was a good Derry crowd there tonight (Saturday) so it would’ve been a pity to disappoint them,” said Harte, again hailing the value of the Dr McKenna Cup. 

“It was a good battle on Wednesday night (the victory over Cavan) and I think, probably in the first half, it told on our players,” Harte said of Derry’s start to Saturday’s game. 

“They had a bit of catching up to do, they were second best for most of the first half and allowed Down to dictate the pace of the game and put us under the pressure.  

“We battled well to be only three points behind, we were very much second best and it was very disappointing. 

 “It was a question then of rejigging their heads as much as anything else. It wasn’t a tactical thing, it was just an energy thing – we needed to bring their energy to the game, and when they did that they got their rewards…it was a good turnaround.” 

Harte acknowledged the slice of luck that saw Ceilum Doherty fail to bag a goal that would’ve put Down 1-4 to 0-2 ahead after 22 minutes and Liam Kerr leaving a 41st minute free short that would’ve put the visitors 0-9 to 0-6. Instead, Chrissy McKaigue curled over at the end of the break away to make it a one-point game as the momentum began to turn.  

“So these are the little things that games hinge on,” added the Derry boss. “It was good to get the game-time under our belts, good to get the win because it guarantees a semi-final. 

“There’s lots to be happy about. To come from a bad place and win a game is always good as well, and a good experience to have in the bank.”  

Derry have won two games from two without the services of the Glen players, with Rossa duo Odhrán Lynch and Conor McCluskey also still working their way back from injury. 

Like he did on Wednesday night in Breffni, Lynch took a full part in the warmup with McCluskey due back “sooner rather than later” with a trip to Tralee coming at the end of the month for their league opener with Kerry.   

 “It’ll be a tight push, but I’d hope he’d be ready for the early rounds of the League,” Harte said of McCluskey’s availability.  

“I’m very happy with all the players who have played so far, they’ve given the very best of themselves considering you’re changing the team.  

“There’s a lot of quality missing from the squad at the minute, so it’s nice that these boys are battling on and winning fights on the way to waiting on getting the other men coming back.  

“Down are a formidable side, they’re well coached, eager, energetic, physical – lots of things you need to be able to deal with. In the first half, we didn’t deal particularly well with it, then second half we did. We won the arm wrestle in the second half.”