Football

Derry CCC give Damian Barton their backing over club games

Derry manager Damian Barton is preparing his players for an All-Ireland Qualifier clash with Mayo
Derry manager Damian Barton is preparing his players for an All-Ireland Qualifier clash with Mayo Derry manager Damian Barton is preparing his players for an All-Ireland Qualifier clash with Mayo

THE Derry Competitions Control Committee has (CCC) weighed in behind football manager Damian Barton in his appeal for club games to be halted ahead of the All-Ireland Qualifier with Mayo.

Barton was understood to be unhappy when his captain Enda Lynn was forced to sit out last weekend’s win over Waterford after he aggravated a hamstring injury playing for his club Greenlough against Slaughtneil.

Now, the authorities in Derry have issued a statement backing Barton’s request to give the Oak Leafs the best possible chance against last year’s All-Ireland finalists on July 1.

“[The] Derry senior county manager is requesting that county players do not play club games this weekend in order to reduce the potential risk of player injury prior to the Mayo game on July 1,” read the statement, released yesterday.

“CCC [Competitions Control Committee] are supportive of this request and would remind clubs that this weekend's fixtures are B games, for which your player may or may not be available, as was agreed with clubs at the beginning of the year.”

The statement added that clubs have been without players on only two occasions so far this summer.

“CCC are asking clubs to please stand by this agreement and to play without your county players this weekend.

“This is only the third game this year that county players will not have been available and we would encourage you all to please get behind your county team as they prepare for the game against Mayo.”