With all the Ulster teams clattering into each other throughout the qualifiers, this had a pre-ordained feel when the draw was made. It's no consolation to the teams involved who would each have preferred not to have to revisit the edgy claustrophobia of their championship meetings.
Derry have the upper hand in some respects. Most managers would like a readymade revenge motive for every big match they play and Eamonn Coleman now has that. Other aspects of the Ulster semi-final will also have left their mark and it's to be hoped that score settling doesn't become too urgent an agenda.
It's worth bearing in mind that Derry didn't play badly in the first instalment but they did concede three goals. In the qualifiers problems in attack became more prominent but two weeks ago against Cavan they seemed to have been solved.
On any comparison between the two performances against Cavan, Derry would look the more convincing. In control throughout, they showed more variety up front with Enda Muldoon getting better support and Paul McFlynn paying his way after the switch from the half-back line.
Against Tyrone in June, the Derry defence was disrupted by having to make two changes at full back. Anthony Tohill was also carrying an injury and although Cormac McAnallen had a fine match, it's safe to say that Derry will be far more competitive tomorrow with the newly appointed Ireland captain's partnership with Fergal Doherty gelling and a question mark hanging over Kevin Hughes's participation.
All of the above explains why many believe the pendulum has swung back Derry's way but that is to forget the impression made by Tyrone in the early rounds when defeating their two predecessors Armagh and Derry. A large influx of talented under-age players is the basis of Art McRory's and Eugene McKenna's new team and the blend has invigorated the county team. They got their wake-up call against Cavan and can emphasise their superiority in Ulster. But it's doubtful if a more tentative forecast will be made on these pages this summer.
