Malachy O’Rourke can be forgiven for hoping to leave Glen on a high note when he departs to take over as the new manager of Tyrone.
Having already masterminded a hat-trick of Derry titles for his Watty Graham’s side, O’Rourke is understandably strongly focused on extending the side’s run of success and he will certainly be confronted by a big challenge in this connection on Sunday at Owenbeg (4.15pm) when Slaughtneil will be in the opposite corner for a Derry SFC Semi-Final.
Slaughtneil reigned supreme in Derry before O’Rourke helped Glen to chart a new chapter in their history and he is understandably keen to go out in style. Both Glen and Slaughtneil have wavered slightly in making it into the last four but the indications are that they will dig deep tomorrow in their shared bid to make it into the Final.
Glen are seeking a fourth straight Derry SFC title
Glen’s consistency has been such that although their confidence might have been dented slightly in the Championship to date their work rate has remained undiminished with Ryan Dougan, Connor Carville, Conor Glass, Ethan Doherty, Eunan Mulholland and Danny Tallon playing big parts in pulling the strings within the side.
Slaughtneil, of course, are not short on experience with Karl McKaigue, Chrissy McKaigue, Paul McNeill, Brendan Rogers, Shane McGuigan and Cormac O’Doherty continuing to deploy their skills to good effect.
Slaughtneil in particular will feel they have a point to prove in this match and will certainly be hoping that the mercurial Shane McGuigan can unleash his finishing skills to the full.
In Saturday night’s first Semi-Final at Owenbeg (8.15pm) Newbridge will confront O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt with both teams having impressed to date.
Newbridge have shown consistency but may find O’Donovan Rossa a tough nut to crack. Yet in Ciaran Mulholland, Conor Doherty, Oisin Doherty and Mark Doherty, Newbridge have very capable players while Magherafelt can lean on Michael McEvoy, Danny Heavron and Shane Heavron.