Players have chance to be in the Loup
Thursday, 26 November 2009
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Several Loup players will get an eleventh-hour opportunity to catch the eye of Derry manager Damian Cassidy in Sunday’s Ulster Club final against St Gall’s before he confirms his initial panel for 2010.
Cassidy has already pencilled in the majority of the names he will require but it is understood that there are still some slots to be filled.
County team managers and the university side bosses must have their squads confirmed to the Ulster Council by December 7 in readiness for the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup competition.
A Derry spokesman revealed that, like other counties, they would lose some players to university sides but confirmed that a tranche of fresh talent will be included in the Oak Leaf squad.
“Obviously there may be one or two boys in the Loup side who may wish to avail of the opportunity to impress Damian on Sunday. I would not imagine that the door is closed on anyone. While our big focus will be on our Ulster Championship opening game against Armagh, it’s very important that we get up and running in the McKenna Cup and make an impact in the National League,” added the spokesman.
James Kielt, Charlie Kielt and Brian Og McAlarey are among the Derry players who will be lining out with Queen’s University in the McKenna Cup but they are expected to be in the squad for the National League. Derry face a difficult opening sequence in this latter competition as they must play near neighbours and deadly rivals Tyrone in their first game before taking on Dublin in their second tie.
Kerry are the reigning National League champions having beaten Derry in the final in April but the Oak Leaf side landed their sixth crown last year by overcoming the Kingdom in the decider.
Manager Cassidy himself won a National League medal in 1992 and an All Ireland medal the following year but right now he is focused on making his second year in charge of Derry rather more memorable than his first.
Derry were beaten by Tyrone in the Ulster Championship this year and then lost to Donegal by a point in the All Ireland Qualifiers.
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