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Brendan Rodgers: ‘I see it as an opportunity to step up’

Brendan Rodgers, Derry, and Martin Reilly, Cavan, during a 2016 All Ireland SFC Qualifier.

Brendan Rodgers, Derry, and Martin Reilly, Cavan, during a 2016 All Ireland SFC Qualifier.

By Orla Bannon

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Inter-county rivalries can fade when one side isn't as robust and competitive as it once was yet even if the supporters don't think so, Brendan Rodgers insists Derry v Tyrone is still a special fixture for the players.

Tyrone went to Celtic Park last year and hammered Derry by 11 points, leading Oak Leaf boss Damian Barton to remark recently that he hopes his side will “turn up this time” when they meet again in Sunday's Ulster SFC first round clash.

“I'd say a lot of supporters have already concluded how this game is going to go,” admits Rodgers.

“Player-wise it's a game you don't want to miss and a game you're going to be up for.

“If you can't get yourself prepared for a Derry-Tyrone game you'd nearly be better calling it a day.

“Probably for supporters it's not as big, but for players it's every bit as competitive as it's ever going to be.”

The commitment the in-demand full back gives to club and county – in both codes – is in stark contrast to some of those around him.

Up to a dozen are gone from last year. A couple are injured but most have made themselves unavailable.

“You can have your reasons to play and not to play.

“But it'll not dishearten me.

“I wouldn't be one to force somebody into doing something they don't want to do.

“With family commitments and jobs and all those other things maybe it doesn't suit some people.

“It is a lot of commitment to make it to training three or four nights a week and maybe get your gym sessions done in between and recover and be fresh for the next week.

“If you don't have the time to do that then maybe you're best not wasting your own and other people's time.”

Derry and Slaughtneil dual star Brendan Rodgers.

Derry and Slaughtneil dual star Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers and Slaughtneil team-mates Chrissy and Karl McKaigue came straight back into the Derry fold after the shattering All-Ireland club loss to Dr Crokes.

They tightened up a leaking defence and didn't concede a goal in the last two league games (though they were still relegated from Division Two) and he even scored three goals off the bench for the hurlers in last week's Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final win over Monaghan.

Adjusting to county life again after such a crushing blow on St Patrick's Day was tough, but he's quick to add: “it was also nice to be seen as needed”.

“We weren't successful in all the games, but we did have a bit more of a collective team performance.

“You feel it warranted coming back so early and it definitely took away the thought of the All-Ireland a brave bit.”

Rodgers would like Derry to show off their best side on Sunday – something that's been rendered impossible by the withdrawals.

Goalkeeper Ben McKinless and cornerback Niall Keenan are among the young hopefuls expected to make their debuts.

“It would be nice to see some of the guys who stepped away coming back because you'll only become the best when you play with the best and against the best," Rodgers adds.

“You can see both sides of the argument.

“I can only see it as an opportunity to step up to try to fill a void that has been left there.

“People aren't around forever and others have to step up and this is the opportunity to take it.

“You can only make do with what you have, but it would be nice to represent ourselves as best as we can and definitely do ourselves justice, because there is a performance in us that can beat most teams in Ireland.

“Hopefully we can make it count.”