1. Reduced to 14 men but Derry are not deterred
The shuddering collision between Aidan O’Shea and Fergal Doherty in the 23rd minute of yesterday’s first semi-final in Croke Park, looked at the time like it would define the game. O’Shea got his toe to the ball to set in motion a move that culminated in Mayo netting while Doherty’s fractionally mistimed challenge ensured he was shown a second yellow card
It was a big moment but not in the way that we had envisaged. Being reduced to 14 men did not deter Derry, they hung grimly in contention and surged for the finish line when it counted with tireless displays from Sean Leo McGoldrick and Enda Lynn. Little wonder that they celebrated this win as they reached their second successive league final and capped a meteoric rise after plying their trade in Division 2 football last spring.
2. Mayo cannot close out the game again
For the second time in a fortnight, Mayo departed Croke Park with that sinking feeling that comes with the failure to close out a game against 14 men. Dublin bouncing back to draw was a setback, Derry bouncing back to win was even more painful.
There’s little need to pore over Mayo’s wretched record in Croke Park as it seems irrelevant to be focusing on past losses that have haunted the county. This is a tale concerning recent form where James Horan has seen his side lack a clinical edge in the second-half of games.
They notably failed to hammer home their advantage in their period of ascendancy after the break and Derry made them pay. Horan promised afterwards a complete examination of where it went wrong, citing shortcomings in their tackling and work rate. It’s still early in the season but Mayo have work to do.
3. Mark Lynch starting to run the senior show
The last Derry team to win the All-Ireland minor title was back in 2002 when they clipped the wings of Meath by 1-12 to 0-8. Centre-back on that Derry side was a 16 year-old from Banagher. At that stage Mark Lynch was touted as a future star of the game but he hasn’t got the exposure since then, toiling away on Derry senior teams that were on the periphery of the elite.
This spring he has really caught the eye, shooting the injury-time leveller against Tyrone, ripping Dublin apart to register 1-8 and then yesterday firing 0-9 in a superb outing against Mayo. Lynch has caught fire and looks to be on the cusp of a big summer.
4. Where do Mayo need Keith Higgins?
Keith Higgins lined out in the half-forward line for Mayo yesterday. He brought typical energy and dynamism to their attack, breaking through for a fine point in the first-half.
But Higgins has plenty defensive qualities and is no stranger to playing in the rearguard. There were signs yesterday that Mayo could have done with him in that sector to help shore up their back line. Is there more of a pressing need for Mayo going forward to employ the Ballyhaunis man at the back?
5. Can the league lead to bigger and better things for Derry?
Derry fans can now look forward to a league final day out on April 27th but they’ll want this to be a springboard to a successful summer rather than the high point of their season. Derry have contested league deciders in 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2008 and 2009.
Yet apart from 1998 when they won the Ulster title, those subsequent championship campaigns ended abruptly. There was particular disappointment in 2008 and 2009 when they lost Ulster semi-finals and exited the qualifiers in mid July. They’ll want it to be different this time.
