DERRY’S All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Damian McCusker last night confirmed he has retired from inter-county football.
The Glen and Ballyclare Comrades goalie declined to elaborate on his decision for quitting the Oak Leafers, but merely said he would not be returning to the Derry panel in the future.
“All I’m prepared to say is that I’ve retired,” he said.
McCusker only made one appearance in a Derry jersey this year, for the NFL victory over Armagh at Celtic Park on March 29, but then lost out to Dungiven netminder Owen McCloskey for the quarter-final tie against Mayo.
He didn’t train with the county last week and his absence from the bench for Sunday’s National League semifinal win over Monaghan fuelled speculation that he had left the squad.
Team selector Frank Kearney yesterday indicated the county management hadn’t given up hope of luring the goalkeeper back to the panel, but McCusker last night scotched any suggestion of him returning to the inter-county scene.
McCusker played in the 1993 All-Ireland winning side but in recent years he has been juggling his gaelic commitments with those at Irish League part-timers Ballyclare.
The Derry management have made efforts in recent weeks to convince him to stay on board, but these have ultimately proved fruitless.
The Oak Leafers have rotated the goalkeeping slot between four custodians during this season’s NFL campaign with David Hopkins also used in addition to McCusker, McCloskey and Hasson.
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BARRY HEARN was last night believed to be holding negotiations to secure an IBO intercontinental title bid for Ireland’s Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Darren Corbett this month.
And the Matchroom supremo is set to include Ireland’s Patrick ‘Blue Boy’ Gallagher’s challenge for the IBO inter-continental super-featherweight title at the Ulster Hall on April 28.
Darren Corbett, who will watch Chris Eubank fight for the WBO cruiserweight belt held by champion Karl Thompson, at the Nynex Arena on Saturday, will not be putting his Commonwealth crown on the line.
He successfully defended that against England’s Rob Norton in a close contest late last year.
Corbett stepped up training in London last week, taking his pre-fight plans and coach Gerry Storey to Matchroom headquarters.
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JOHNNY McBRIDE’S suspension for Sunday’s Ulster U21 football final will be partly offset by the availability of Joe Cassidy, Benny Murray and probably Paul Diamond.
The latter trio missed Derry’s provincial semi-final victory over Cavan through injury but Cassidy and Murray used as substitutes in Sunday’s National League semi-final win over Monaghan while Diamond’s recovery from a nose operation is almost complete.
Midfielder Enda Muldoon, who had 18 stitches inserted after sustaining a very bad leg gash during a club game three weeks ago, remains an absentee which means Francis Glackin may again link up with Gary Doyle at centrefield.
Derry U21 manager Harry Gribben was reluctant to speculate on who might replace McBride at centre halfforward but the most logical step is to give the number 11 jersey to Benny Murray.
The Derry management have the added concern of this evening’s full round of league games in Derry when virtually all the squad will be in action for their clubs.
