National Football League Division three

Cork v Derry

Sunday, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2pm

BY RONAN SCOTT

It would appear that there is a scoring problem developing in Derry.

In round one, full of positivitiy and excitement, seven different players registered scores. Derry perhaps robbed a draw from Leitrim in that match, but a magnificent seven different scorers is a good return.

Next day out, they travelled to park Esler in Newry, and took on Down’s perimeter defence.

Despite Paddy Tally’s organised rear guard, Derry still had six scorers on the day.

Since that game though, things have not been as good.

Against Tipperary, Derry managed just ten points and only four scorers.

Then came Louth, and the Leafers had just four scorers again.

This weekend, Rory Gallagher’s team are facing into a clash with a Cork team who have won four out of four matches and who have the standout best scoring record in the division. They also have the joint third-best defence in the division.

The Leafers are on a winning streak of two for two against Louth and Tipperary, two sides in the bottom half of the division. Their remaining three games are against teams in the top half. Things are going to get more difficult and unless they can get their forward units firing then the hope of promotion to the top flight will swiftly disappear.

One more win for Cork and promotion would be secure, as their chasers still have to play each other. Therefore they’ll be going all out on Sunday to get the job done so they can ease up for the closing furlings of this National League Division three race.

The developing story for Derry’s attack is that Shane McGuigan is the go-to forward.

After coming on as a sub in round one and hitting 1-1, he has started the next three games and scored no less than seven points per match. The Louth game was his high water mark as he scored 1-7. It helps that he hits the frees, but he’s also the target inside.

In last week’s Gaelic Life, McGuigan told Gaelic Life that Rory Gallagher has challenged him to be a better forward. McGuigan took that on board as, and it was he who put it this way, Gallagher has coached some of the best forwards.

Some of us might forget that Rory Gallagher was a forward of some reknown in his playing days.

He rivalled Oisin McConville for his marksmanship. In 2002, Gallagher borke a 52-year-old record when he scored 3-9 against Monaghan in the first round of the championship. That Tally beat Peter Donohoe’s record when he scored 3-5 for Cavan against Tyrone in the 1950 Ulster Championship.

It is strange then that Rory Gallagher puts so much emphasis on his defensive structure. He likes an organised defence, where players filter back and force their opponents wide, while trying not to give away too much possession.

The attacking game relies upon working space for scores. This can be laborious, and fans have made it clear that they do not enjoy watching this style of football.

This sort of football shouldn’t have to be low scoring though, but the current forwards can’t seem to get the points on the board. Instead the opportunities are falling to half backs. Shea Downey, notably, has hit two points from half back this season. Chrissy McKaigue, playing a defensive midfield role, has got two points.

The frustration for Derry players must be that they are just not getting their chances.

Danny Tallon is one of the most exciting forwards in the game, but in the modern game he is forced to toe tap along the 45, hand passing around waiting for a gap.

Ryan Bell is a monster of a forward, a powerful fielder of the ball, and when he’s on he’s unstoppable. Yet he’s been edged out to the corners, recycling ball in slow build up play.

The return of Niall Loughlin to the team last weekend saw the Greenlough attacker hit a goal, and ignite some hope that the leafers’s scores could be rising.

These low returns are perhaps a product of a defensive style game. But perhaps the counter is that forwards more than ever must take their chances.

Paddy Bradley, Derry’s All-star forward once said that a great forward can break down any defence. A great forward only needs one chance to put a ball over the bar. With these days of pressure defences, the pressure is on for Derry players to perform.

When Derry played Cork in 2014, which is the Nostalgaa game in this week’s paper on page 27, the final scoreline was 2-18 to 3-14 in Cork’s favour.

A scoreline lke that would have fans purring. We’ll see if the scoring stats increase this weekend.

r.scott@gaeliclife.com