Derry IFC QF: Craigbane to edge past Trasna

Small & Hyland Intermediate Football Championship quarter-final CRAIGBANE v DOIRE TRASNA Tonight, 7.30pm, Owenbeg By CAHAIR O’KANE As much as Craigbane will hope to find themselves in the mix at the end of this championship, this is not the worst draw Doire Trasna could have had. The city side are in their first intermediate quarter-final, having won their first ever championship game in the middle tier back in late July. They not only beat Drumsurn, though. Eoghan Carlin’s men were utterly emphatic and very impressive in their victory over an admittedly poor opposition that night. It didn’t take a genius to see why they actually finished above Craigbane in the Division Two table this season. When Trasna won promotion back to intermediate football a couple of seasons back, their biggest weakness was their ability to rack up 15 wides in a game. It wasn’t that they couldn’t finish, it was that they were simply trying to finish from the wrong positions. Against Drumsurn, barring a couple of ambitious efforts from Darren Harkin, they showed that they have learnt. Playing Darren Harkin and AN Other – rotating between Cormac Carlin, Colin Murray and Dee Starrett – inside, Michéal McNaught fed the shooters. Trasna would work the ball as quickly as they could on to his left foot and he dropped the ball into the space. When he got it, the inside men ran. And when they ran, he kicked the ball. It was metronomic, it was well-rehearsed, and it was very effective. What Drumsurn did very badly was afford them space to kick the ball down the centre. It created a nightmare for their full-back line and they were stripped bare. It’s unlikely that Craigbane will be so naïve. Damian Hasson, after a fine display in their opening round win over Ballymaguigan, is likely to pick up Harkin. Craigbane must get the rest of their defensive make-up right. Fergal Crossan would be effective sweeping but they cannot allow Colin Murray to run free. He will pull out and when Drumsurn didn’t pick him up, he did all sorts of damage. He’s the kind of player who will find pockets of space even when he is marked. Kevin Moore is set to welcome Ruairi Gormley back into his defence, no doubt in the half-back line. That could see David Lowry pushed to midfield and Gavin Conwell act as a third man in there as opposed to directly partnering Bliain Gormley. Ryan Moore, having missed a spell through injury, is also not far away from challenging for a spot. Young defender Conor McCloskey, who had an excellent season prior to a trip to the States, is also due home and could come into contention. At the other end, Connolly Deeney will get a serious test from Lee Moore. Deeney looked a fine player in taking on Pearse McNickle, whom he had the beating of for pace. That won’t happen with Moore and this will be a sterner test of his mettle. Daryl Mallett is likely to pick up Aidy McLaughlin, though Trasna appear very good at getting their half-forward line behind the ball when they lose it. Craigbane won the league meeting by six but it wasn’t until a late goal from Sean Mortimer that they eventually shook off the Pearses. An early goal from Cormac Carlin (if there is such a thing as an early goal in a 9pm throw-in) gave the St. Joseph’s side a fright but they recovered to pull away in the end. With Caolan Doyle dictating at midfield and able to physically compete with Gormley, this could be an absolutely intriguing battle. The upset is not beyond Doire Trasna. But when Craigbane needed Lee Moore, Aidy McLaughlin and Bliain Gormley to step up against Ballymaguigan, they did. They should have enough to get over the line. Verdict: Craigbane