By Michael McMullan

DERRYLAUGHAN manager Kevin Niblock is aware of two key points ahead of Sunday’s Ulster semi-final showdown with Ballinderry.

The former St Gall’s and Antrim star knows the Shamrocks possess quality. Secondly, he is content his Derrylaughan side’s underbelly is a tough one.

The Kevin Barrys clawed back from seven points down against both Termon and All Saints in Ulster since clinching the club’s second Tyrone title.

Niblock was a relieved man after their penalty shootout win in the latter and travelled to Celtic Park to run his eye over Ballinderry’s victory against Carrickcruppen.

After a coaching role in the club, it’s Niblock’s second season as manager though he did line out for St Gall’s at the tail end of last season to help stabilise them in the top flight.

There was reliefall over his face as he began to process their dramatic win over Ballymena, feeling it would take a few watches of the footage to properly digest it.

He tied their resolve into 2023. Jude Campbell’s goal for eventual champions Pomeroy after half time pushed Derrylaughan towards the exit door.

“I suppose we probably learned a lot from last year and the way we went out in the semi-final, there’s just a lot of experience in the group,” he said. “I probably was less worried against Termon (than Ballymena) with the fact that it happened so early in the game,” Niblock added of going 1-4 to 0-0 in arrears before Tomás Carney kicked them back into contention.

“I think it was different in the last game whenever we were so far behind, so late on. Obviously, that bit of experience and the ability to come back from the Termon game probably helped us.”

It took two Brian Kennedy goals to give them a chance with James Donnelly kicking the equaliser at the end of both normal and extra-time.

With five days to reflect and having watched Ballinderry in the flesh, for Niblock, Sunday in Newry must be different.

“We have to go into the game and not have to be on the backfoot from the start,” he said.

There is the solace of a two-week break. On winter pitches, a one-week turnaround is tough. It was the same for Ballinderry with their Derry final going to a replay. Two weeks between games is ideal.

“Every week you’re trying to get geared up, not just to physically get ready for the game but just to get prepared mentally,” he pointed out.

“We also have to get a good look at other teams. That sort of thing, within six days, is sometimes hard when everyone has a full-time job as well.”

In his playing days with the Belfast club, Niblock remembers Ballinderry. It took Enda Muldoon to help sway a 0-8 to 0-6 Ulster replay win in 2001 to the Shamrocks in the early stages of a run that would end in All-Ireland glory. In the opposing corner was current Ballinderry manager Jarlath Bell.

“The history of Ballinderry, it’s a great footballing club,” Niblock said.

“Obviously it’s not the same team now, but the quality is always going to be there in a club like that.

“They’ve had a great season and are full of quality. It’s like any round of the championship, right from the first round of Tyrone, the challenge is just going to be more and more.

“We certainly know if we perform as we have the last two games, we’ll be struggling this time.”