NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
Derry v Galway
Sunday, Owenbeg, 1pm

By Michael McMullan

DERRY manager Rory Gallagher will be sweating over the availability of ace forward Shane McGuigan ahead of Sunday’s eagerly awaited visit of Galway to Owenbeg.

McGuigan was handed a one-game suspension after being reported for a comment made in the aftermath of last weekend’s draw with Roscommon.

A second yellow card saw him sent off for the first time in his career in stoppage time after an incident that appeared to show defender Brian Stack dismissed on a black card for dragging the Sleacht Néill ace down as he twice tried to join the attack when the side were level.

With McGuigan off the pitch, Emmett Bradley was entrusted with the last kick to win the game, but he pulled his kick to the left of the posts.

Gaelic Life understands that Derry were appealing the ban on Wednesday night. Should the ban remain, it will be the first time Gallagher won’t be able to call on McGuigan across his 20 games in charge across league and championship, since coming on for clubmate Christopher Bradley in their draw in Leitrim in 2020, Gallagher’s first league game in charge.

When the fixture list was issued at the start of the year, the visit of Padraic Joyce’s side was a mouth-watering tie tipped to have a huge saw in the promotion race.

McGuigan has scored 1-37 of Derry’s 6-61 so far in the championship. While the onus is on Benny Heron, Lachlan Murray, Emmett Bradley and Niall Loughlin to chip in more scores in his absence, it would be a total change of focus without their talisman.

“It leaves us with everything to play for next week, needing to dig deep for an unbelievable performance,” commented Gallagher minutes after their draw with the Rossies.

“I’ll tell you one thing, I am looking forward to this week and getting going.”

Much of Derry’s plans will hinge on McGuigan’s availability.

READ MORE…Derry and Roscommon end level. Click here…