Nicky Rackard trophy final Derry vs Armagh preview: Getting the 'Scoop'

by Orlagh Mullan

On Saturday Na Magha’s Alan Grant will run out onto the field of Croke Park chasing the Nicky Rackard trophy.

The reason why the Oak Leaf are even involved in the capital showdown is because of their relegation from the Christy Ring competition last year, but ‘Scoops’ says that now they have the opportunity to reverse that wrong.

“Last year was a big downfall when we went a full season without winning a game,” Grant told the Derry News.

“This year we had a good enough run in the league. We died off a wee bit towards the end but since then we have picked ourselves back up again so we are pushing on now to try and win it.”

While that league campaign saw Derry lose three of their five games, those that have followed have been promising. For the Na Magha man, there is a lot that is different to the team of a season ago.

“There was a few boys retired last year and as the season went on, a disappointment set in at not winning games,” he explained.

“A lot of games were there right until the last 15 minutes, then other teams were pulling away and we got into that mindset that we were losing and we couldn’t get ourselves out of it.  You fall into a rut and it keeps going.  You try everything you can to change it but sometimes it doesn’t happen.”

Some may have seen the failure to win promotion from Division 2B as a blot on the record of new manager Collie McGurk, but for Grant it was about maintaining their position at the very least.

“When we were going into the league, I was kind of worried about getting relegated again.  I don’t see much difference in the league we are in and the league below,” insisted the Na Magha player.

“There were a bit of nerves going into the first game against Mayo, but we got through that.  Then we played Meath in the second game, and we were right there.  I think we were a point up until we had a few men sent off.  At that point, I was looking at it thinking ‘we could actually get promoted here’ then a few bad results in the latter stages took that away.”

He continued: “We are happy enough with it, we got what we wanted and boys got game time.  We got boys playing together which helped us coming into Championship.”

The Oak Leaf return to the capital this weekend with memories of a Christy Ring defeat to Kerry two years ago still fresh in their mind. Grant doesn’t dwell on that, but rather says it is an exciting time.

“We’re just glad to get there, it will be a good day out. I was saying to a few lads the other night that, looking around the changing room, most of the lads have played there with club or were on that panel two years ago,” he said.

“I think when we went down then with boys who were built up in the hype of playing in Croke Park. For some it was the first time doing it, so I think the occasion took over that year.  This year with most of the boys having done it already they’ll not be built up as much and so that can concentrate on the game a bit better.”

A 6-17 to 1-12 victory over Monaghan in the last round surely makes Derry favourites, but Grant isn’t willing to entertain that idea.

“I wouldn’t see us as going in as favourites. Armagh had a couple of close games in their league and they had the Ulster final against Antrim.  Any time we play Armagh, there is never a clear winner, it always ends up a scrappy enough game.  I am hoping boys know that themselves and nobody takes it too lightly.”

Those convincing victories of recent months have loudened the cries for a return to the Christy Ring, and more competitive hurling for the Oak Leaf county, and it is something the Grant wants to deliver on.

“If we want to progress, getting out of it is something that we need to look at,” he admitted.

“Playing games more at our level, week in week out, rather than playing a couple of weaker teams and then stronger teams at a later stage of it.  It is something we do have to look at, we will want to get back up there.”

Also a keen footballer, it can be difficult for Grant to balance club and county, but he said both are understanding.

“I find my clubs are more than accommodating.  Sean Dolan’s and Na Magha, they understand that county comes first, and Dolan’s understand that hurling is my first sport and it comes first before anything.  Training is clashing, but it breaks it up a bit. You can’t do it all on one night. It makes it a lot easier than being out every night of the week.”