Football

Derry brace themselves for an exodus

Damian Barton guided Derry to the last-12 of the Championship in 2016  
Damian Barton guided Derry to the last-12 of the Championship in 2016   Damian Barton guided Derry to the last-12 of the Championship in 2016  

DERRY are bracing themselves for an exodus of experienced players for the 2017 season, The Irish News understands.

As many as eight of the squad - all of whom have played regular Championship football in the last two years - are believed to have made themselves unavailable for selection next season. Damian Barton and his management team of Tony Scullion and Brian McGuckin were returned for a second season in charge earlier this month, but it looks like they may have to prepare without some key figures.

The Oak Leafers, on the surface, appeared to have made progress in the Newbridge man’s first year in charge. They reached the last-12 of the Championship and led Tipperary until the dying minutes, only to concede the final three points and lose a thrilling game by the narrowest of margins. Victory would have taken Derry into a first All-Ireland quarter-final since 2007.

Having reached the McKenna Cup final in January, they began the National League with two straight victories and looked set for a promotion charge, only to fail to win another game and narrowly avoid relegation on points difference. A heavy Ulster Championship defeat at home by arch-rivals Tyrone appeared to signal a short summer, but Derry recovered to beat Louth, Meath and Cavan to reach round four of the Qualifiers.

But the absence of so many key men will undoubtedly undermine Derry’s hopes for promotion out of the second-tier and a tilt at ending their 19-year wait for an Ulster title.