Allianz Football League: Harte hopes leaders Derry learn from Dublin defeat
- Published
Derry’s Declan Cassidy challenges Dublin defender Seán MacMahon in Saturday evening's game
Derry manager Mickey Harte says his team tested themselves "against the best" in the 1-16 to 1-11 defeat by Dublin in Saturday's top-two showdown.
It was a first defeat of the year for Derry, who had won their opening four Division One games.
"They are a good side, that's why they're All-Ireland champions and that's why you learn from the best sides," said Harte.
"I though it was a good game - I hope we learned something."
It was deserved victory for the Dubs at Celtic Park and they led 0-9 to 1-4 at the break with Conor McCloskey hitting Derry's goal.
Cormac Costello netted on 52 for the dominant visitors, who moved to within two points of the Oak Leafers.
Harte, who rested a number of players including Conor Glass, said his side lost possession too often against quality opposition.
Oak Leaf forward Shane McGuigan takes a tumble during the Division One defeat by Dublin
"They are a top-class side, you have to test yourself against the best, and you find out why they are so good," he added.
"You can't afford be behind going down the home straight with a team like Dublin who can take care of the ball and draw you out so that was a difficult place.
"They'll learn that possession is precious and if you give it away, or you turn the opposition over, and don't finish the job off then you're under serious pressure again.
"We did that a number of times where we turned the ball over and won good possession back off them and made the break forward but we didn't finish that move off, so it meant you had to start to do it all over again.
"So I think you learn things like that - how difficult it is to keep possession in close contact against players of that standard and calibre and how they play as a unit and how they make life very difficult for you when you're on the ball, so you learn that you don't take it into the trap."
'We managed the game well'
Dublin manager Dessie Farrell was pleased with his team's performance against the leaders.
"In general I thought we managed the game well - we controlled good chunks of it in the first half and again in the second half," he said.
"We kept the scoreboard ticking over. I am happy with the way we showed composure there at times. We were able to eke out the scores to keep that bit of distance and to keep Derry at bay when it was needed.
"Yeah, we were a little bit wasteful at times and the Derry goal was a bit of a sucker-punch for us at that time. You'd be disappointed you didn't go in more than two points up but sure that's the nature of it and what's intriguing about playing these teams.
"We were in a commanding position and then bang and it's game on again. But I think our response to that goal was good. Brian Fenton kicked a very good point.
"This can be a great place to generate chaos into a system and we experienced that up here last year. But tonight I think we managed those chaotic moments an awful lot better."