GAA - ‘Outplayed, outsmarted, outworked’: McGuckin

‘Outplayed, outsmarted, outworked’: McGuckin

Steven Doherty reports from Celtic Park

WITH manager Damian Barton serving that somewhat harsh suspension, it fell on assistant manager Brian McGuckin to face the music after Derry’s first defeat of the National League. McGuckin nailed it completely with his opening gambit. "Very disappointing. Outplayed, outsmarted, outworked” he admitted, as confused as the Derry journalists as to why his side were so disappointing. “Certainly, we came here today full of optimism and we were fully aware of the benefits of winning today especially with how the other results went. It would have given us some breathing space but unfortunately we were defeated by a better team to day and we can have no complaints. "Although there was only three points in it at the end it was a very convincing three points.” The assistant manager was very honest when asked if the loss of Damian Barton down the line make any difference. "I don't think so. Damian still had a major influence this week with the players and at the end of the day once the players take to the field they have to take ownership and give leadership. I don't think it was a major influence.” On the few occasions that Derry launched in high ball to Mark Lynch at full forward, they looked certainly more dangerous. Referee Ciaran Branagan waved away Derry appeals for a penalty – could that have made a difference? "It could have and I don't think we put that kind in enough to tell you the truth. I think it would have caused Galway many more problems if we had of put that kind of ball in more often. Unfortunately we didn't do that. "Was it a penalty? I don't know. Possibly. Would it have made a difference? Maybe, I don't know.” Was it frustrating, as it was for the watching Derry fans, that the players didn't use the long ball in more? Yes. It was certainly part of our game-plan and initially we did kick a few early balls in and I think it was down to a bit of unfortunate play that something didn't come of those early balls. Maybe because nothing came of them that potentially had an influence on our style of play but certainly it was a message we sent out to get the ball in so it was disappointing, yes.” Derry took an extended break at half-time, and when they eventually appeared the plan would not have been to concede 1-01 so quickly. McGuckin was in agreement. "We had a lot of things to talk about at half-time and a lot to organise and sort out. That wasn't part of the plan and once the Galway goal went in we were left with an uphill battle and obviously it was pleasing to get those late goals but all it did was put a respectability on the scoreboard because we were beat by a much better team today McGuckin laid the blame for Derry’s lacklustre display squarely on the opposition, who put the home side on the back foot from the very start. "Galway were full of running. They were running from everywhere. They were full of athleticism and were attacking us from all angles and I suppose they took an early lead and, maybe, we were afraid to take the game to them to an extent because of their ability to catch us on the counter. "Certainly we felt we were well prepared coming into the game. I think Galway hit a real purple patch in the first half and went five or six points up. We were playing catch up and although we did close it down to three points at half-time we also kicked a lot of bad wides in the first half which would have narrowed that gap. "At the start of the second half as well we sent out the message that we had to go for it but the second half didn't start the way we would have liked and we went from three points down to seven points down.” The defeat certainly sharpens minds as Derry prepare for a trip to the lion’s den this Saturday night. "Yes. Obviously Tyrone won again today so Tyrone are a very good team. We have played them a few times already this season and there is a healthy rivalry between the teams. There hasn't been a kick of a ball between ourselves and Tyrone this year and I don't expect there to be on Saturday. We'll shake ourselves down and we'll get back out and look at the match and hopefully learn from it and move on.”