Tyrone and Derry share memorable history in the league

KEY clashes of Tyrone against Derry have often provided an intriguing backdrop to the contrasting fortunes of both counties.

There’s no doubting the importance of this Sunday’s clash. Mickey Harte’s role as Derry manager after guiding his native Tyrone to three All-Ireland titles, combined with the Oak Leafers bid to reach the very top with Sam Maguire Cup success are just some of the tantalising ingredients.

The Red Hands, too, have their incentives, just as they had in times past when meetings between the two proved crucial in their quest for success.

Back in the old days, the northern section of the National League was played off for the Lagan Cup. In 1957, Tyrone’s initial Ulster success made their one of the teams being talked about. In the Dr Lagan Final, they played a Derry side spearheaded by Jim McKeever and the Gribben brothers who were on course to really make their mark on the All-Ireland series.

Tyrone’s progress to the National League semi-final was earned courtesy of a Lagan Cup success against the Oak Leafers. On March 30th, 1957, the Red Hands won by 3-6 to 0-9 in the decider at Casement Park.

Sean Donnelly emerged that day as Tyrone’s top scorer, but others were praised for their significant contributions.

“Tyrone owe their success to the brilliance of Eddie Devlin at centre half back, the midfield pair of Jody O’Neill and Mick Cushnaganm who lorrded it over McKeever and Breen and to the dashing ‘tiger’ Jack Taggart on the forty yards mark who kept the forward line moving.”

Defeat followed in the semi-final against Galway and the teams met in that 1957 Ulster Final when Tyrone won their second year.

One of the most famous meetings was the clash in the 1992 National League final, Tyrone’s first ever appearance at this stage of the competition.

All appeared to be going well for the Red Hands over the majority of the clash. A goal from Peter Canavan gave them the initiative. But, with time running out, Derry fought back and a late goal from an Anthony Tohill free proved decisive in clinching them only their second ever title.

Perhaps the most significant meeting of all was in 1995. By then Derry had won their first ever Sam Maguire success and still had most of that historic panel in place.

The Oak Leafers had also defeated Tyrone in the National Leagie semi-final and earlier that summer Tyrone had defeated them in the Ulster semi-final, coming from behind and reduced to 13 players, they emerged winners of a famous tussle.

By September the Red Hands were in the All-Ireland final. A controversial defeat against Dublin followed, but the rivalry between the teams was at its height when they met in the league a few weeks later.

An attendance of 15,000 came to the game at Healy Park. Derry were the reigning National League champions, but were toppled by a strong Tyrone display in the opening round.

Gerard Cavlan was the starr Red Hand man as his 1-6 helped Tyrone to a 1-7 to 0-8 win. Making the victory all the more significant was the absence of Peter Canavan.

Now, three decades later, the sense of rivalry which existed back in those heady days has returned to enliven the respective efforts of both counties.

There are no trophies at stake at Celtic Park on Sunday. But make no mistake about the significance and importance of victory for either team when the final whistle sounds in the latest instalment of this long-running rivalry.