Derry have advantage – McCormack

Armagh's Paul McCormack

PAUL McCormack hopes that Ger Rogan’s good work with Armagh team, when he was boss up until 2010, will lead to the downfall of the Antrim man’s current charges, Derry.

During Rogan’s reign he lobbied to have the Orchard men playing in the Ulster Championship. And they proved that he was right last year when, under the guidance of Michael Johnston, the Orchard county reached the Ulster final, though they were beaten by Antrim 2-20 to 2-12.

Now the former Saffrons defender, Rogan, who played in the famous 1989 All-Ireland final, will send out an Oak Leaf team eager not to lose to a group of players that he knows well, and who owe him a great deal.

“We have a lot of respect for Ger, for the work that he did with us over a number of years,” said McCormack.

“We know the type of enthusiasm that he brings to training, and the hard work that he puts in. He will know us inside out.”

Although McCormack did say that the passing of two years means that the Antrim man could not know everything about their team, and they may have a few surprises for Rogan.

“There are a lot of players that have come into the team, that he might not know. That might be our strength, some of the other boys that he may not have seen.”

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday June 4. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here