Derry are underdogs as they face Kerry in All Ireland quarter final

Derry face Kerry in the All Ireland quarter-final on Sunday in a repeat of last year's semi-final. 

The Oak Leafers came up short last year against the Kingdom, so revenge will certainly be on the minds of the Derry players this weekend. 

Mickey Harte was not the manager for that fixture, with many hoping his influence could help Derry overcome Kerry for only the second time ever in the All Ireland series. 

Harte has three Championship victories over the Kingdom in his senior football management career, so he will look to share his knowledge of how to achieve this with the Derry squad.

The Ulster side's last victory over the 38-time All Ireland winners in the competition was in 1958, but since then, Derry have lost every championship fixture to this weekend's opponents. 

This will be a major hurdle for Derry to overcome and will provide a major boost to their mental confidence for the rest of the Championship, should they do so.

And Harte’s influence was already felt in the first match of Derry’s successful Division 1 National League victory this season, as the Oak Leafers defeated Jack O’Connor’s side 0-15 to 2-8. 

However, since the provincial championships and All Ireland series have kicked off, the fortunes of the two sides have been contrasting. 

Kerry have a 100 percent record, winning the Munster Championship before defeating Monaghan, Louth, and Meath in the All Ireland group stage. 

Meanwhile, Harte’s side has only recently discovered some form with victories over Westmeath and Mayo, but comprehensive defeats to Donegal in the Ulster Championship first, as Derry failed to defend their title, followed by losses to Galway and Armagh.

Harte’s side were less than convincing in their two most recent victories, but fans will say ‘a win is a win’. 

Kerry have yet to be tested this season following the National League campaign and will be worried about the task Derry presents, the National League champions having overcome their blip and finding a way to win. 

Last weekend, Derry seemed to revert back to the style under Rory Gallagher that brought the county to within a score of the 2023 All Ireland final. 

The long ball into the forward line was only used once in the first half as Derry looked for stability and control.

This has seemingly worked for the Ulster side, as they led 0-6 to 0-3 at halftime. 

As Mayo roared back in the second half, taking and looking like they were about to advance to the quarter-final Chrissy McKaigue managed to force extra-time with the last play of the game, fisting a point over.

This composed and poised nature from Derry is something fans and neutrals became known for following the appointment of Gallagher, and this has brought them two Ulster titles and a Division 1 National League title. 

Success breeds success, and this had many Derry fans dreaming of a second All Ireland title after their National League success over Dublin this campaign. 

Kerry will be massive favourites for this game; the most successful senior football side in the history of competition, the current Munster Champions, played in five of the last 10 All Ireland finals (winning two).

While Derry are determined to enact Championship revenge over Kerry, the Munster Champions will look at winning their 39th title, especially after their disappointing defeat to Dublin in the 2023 final.

The Kingdom will be fresh having not played for a fortnight, while this will be Derry’s third consecutive weekend, with tiredness potentially a factor for Harte’s side. 

Yet, Derry and their fans will only point to the ‘tired’ Croatia and look to embody their spirit, a side with little expected of them, punching above their weight. 

The Oak Leafers may be the underdogs, but they have nothing to lose, and this may be the deciding factor to help earn them a semi-final place this year, as the players are clearly good enough following their National League victory this season. 

Fans should travel to Croke Park for the throw-in at 3:15 pm on June 30 with the possibility of seeing a shock as Derry upset Kerry.