Derry's air of confidence

A flick through the provincial hurling records of the last century reveals few more absent title winners than Derry. Their two titles came in 1903 and 1908. And then began one of the longest famines in the GAA's history.

It was only two years ago that Derry returned to their first final since 1931. Yet, there is no lack of confidence for this Sunday's meeting with Antrim at Casement Park. Manager Kevin McNaughton believes his side are "in as good as shape as ever". With the experience of the last two finals behind them, it may be time to cross the line.

"The players know now what it's all about," he says. "The mood is very good and we do see it as a really good chance. Antrim certainly aren't the team they were."

Derry maintained their Division One league status for another year following a play-off win over Kerry. There were some good performances along the way, most significantly in the final game against Laois where they battled hard only to lose by a point.

"There was nothing at all in it that day, only a puck of a ball," says Laois manager Sean Cuddy. "They have some very fine hurlers, and a couple of exceptional hurlers, especially midfielder Oliver Collins and Kieran McKeever."

The availability of dual players like McKeever - who plays at centre forward - is another step up from previous years. Football regulars Geoffrey McGonigle and Sean Martin Lockhart are also in the panel (although not starting on Sunday) and that, says McNaughton, is another positive aspect of this season's preparations.

"Having Kieran available this year has been a huge bonus," says McNaughton. "He's been performing very well in both codes and if he plays as well here as he did for the footballers last week, then we'll be happy enough. But then it is a huge loss not having Geoffrey."

McKeever is the only player who may still win provincial medals in both codes. "Previous managers didn't give the same sort of latitude that Eamonn Coleman has," explains Derry PRO Gerry Donnelly. "There have been no constraints put on players like Kieran and at all times the manager has been very supportive. "In the past there would have been questions over a player appearing in a hurling final the Sunday before the football final. But this management supported it because they honestly feel it is beneficial. With the two leagues running in tandem, Kieran found himself playing every Sunday for three months and I think that's helped him attain a new level of fitness. Obviously there are some dangers, but it is very unique to be playing in two provincial finals in successive weeks."

One hitch prior to Sunday's game has been the suspension of corner back and captain Emmet McKeever. He was sent off early in the semi-final following an off-the-ball incident with Down's Noel Sands and was later handed a 12-week suspension after being reported by the referee for striking with the hurl.

Derry submitted an appeal to Croke Park arguing that video and eye witness evidence shows that McKeever did not "strike", but were told such an appeal could not be heard until GAA director Liam Mulvihill returned from holiday.

Donnelly describes the process as "strange" and while it may yet be possible that McKeever will get a reprieve before Sunday, the hope is that the issue won't get in the way of Sunday's game.

"It's been too long now," says Donnelly. "It's time that we got rid of that monkey."