By Michael McMullan

MICKEY Harte has confirmed Padraig Cassidy won’t be part his plans for the 2024 season after the Sleacht Néill man’s decision to go travelling.

Harte handed out six debuts in his first game as Derry manager but Cassidy has stepped away.

With Derry currently building a panel for the season ahead, it will be a loss and comes after the news of Benny Heron’s retirement.

“Padraig Cassidy is not at home, he has travelled further afield,” the Derry boss confirmed after Wednesday night’s win in Kingspan Breffni.

Cassidy was part of Derry’s back-to-back Ulster successes under Rory Gallagher and Ciarán Meenagh, playing 61 times at senior level.

There is better news for Emmet’s manager Mark Doran who hopes to have ‘Tad’ back in the fold by the time the Derry Senior Championship rolls around.

Harte has run his eye over newcomers to the panel as they plan for a league campaign that gets off the ground against Kerry in Tralee on Saturday, January 27.

“In Division One, they are all the same,” Harte said of their opener. “They are the top eight teams, because of what they did last year.

“But away to Kerry wouldn’t be the one you would choose. But it is what it is, we have got to go there and we have got to take them on.

“If we stay injury free and get these other men (Glen players) back in some capacity, we will give it a shot.”