Summary
JAMES KIELT has backed Derry to launch a serious All-Ireland title assault -- providing they can finally find some consistency. Kielt is only 20 but is old enough to recognise that the Oak Leafers have been the great enigma of the last decade. In both 2001 and 2004 they reached the All-Ireland semi-finals yet in 2002 and 2005 exited the championship tamely at the qualifier stage.
They have also become synonymous with performing well in the league only to fluff their lines when things become serious during the summer. This was most noticeable last year when they beat Kerry in the league final only to lose to Fermanagh in Ulster and Monaghan in the qualifiers. Of course, they also reached this year's league final but Kielt is hoping history does not repeat itself with another short summer. It is a case of so far, so good because after an anticipated defeat to Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final Derry have bounced back with a big win over Monaghan and now face Donegal in the pick of this weekend's third-round qualifiers. 'That's been Derry for the last ten years -- one great performance followed by a mediocre one,' said centre forward Kielt, who hit a goal against Monaghan last weekend. 'The big thing now is consistency because there's no second chances any more. We're five games away from an All-Ireland title but at the same time we don't really fear anyone out there.See the full content of this document
Extract
Kielt: We Can't Slip Up [Eire Region]
'Derry have p...
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