GAA Qualifiers: Derry's preparations for Saturday's All-Ireland qualifier against Monaghan have been thrown into disarray amid reports that Paddy Bradley has left the county panel. Bradley is understood to have informed manager Damian Cassidy of his decision yesterday.
Bradley, a former Derry captain and still only 28, took part in a training match on Sunday but told Cassidy afterwards that he would not be available for the remainder of the campaign.
The news is a major surprise, not least because the star forward heaped praise on the new manager earlier in the season.
Bradley remained in Australia following last year’s International Rules series for an extended break. He rejoined the county panel in January and remains Derry’s most potent attacking threat.
Saturday’s match with Monaghan, something of a grudge match following the bad-tempered Ulster championship clash back in May, will have a 3pm throw-in.
The GAA announced the times and venues for the second round of the football qualifiers and phase two of the hurling equivalent this afternoon, with the clash in Clones still the stand-out tie.
Monaghan will also be missing a star forward with Tommy Freeman still suspended but Derry welcome back Fergal Doherty and Brian Mullan, who had their eight-week bans halved on appeal.
Elsewhere, Kerry’s match in Longford will also have a 3pm throw-in while the local derby between Westmeath and Meath has been pencilled in for 7pm that evening.
Football Qualifiers – Round Two
Down v Laois (Newry, 7.30pm)
Monaghan v Derry (Clones, 3pm)
Longford v Kerry (Longford, 5pm)
Wexford v Roscommon (Wexford Park, 3pm)
Tipperary v Sligo (Semple Stadium, 3pm)
Donegal v Clare (Ballybofey 7pm)
Westmeath v Meath (Cusack Park, 7pm)
Wicklow v Cavan (Aughrim 7pm)
Hurling Qualifiers - Phase Two
Wexford v Limerick (Wexford Park, 5pm)
Clare v Galway (Ennis, 7pm)