DEPARTED…Thomas Mallon has left the Derry panel

DERRY have suffered a blow on the eve of their Ulster Championship clash with Tyrone as Thomas Mallon has opted off the panel.

The talented Loup goalkeeper is understood to have informed the Oakleaf management on Monday night of his decision to depart.

Manager Damian Barton now looks certain to hand Ben McKinless the no. 1 jersey for Sunday’s clash at Celtic Park.

It has been a rocky build-up for Derry with Barton hitting out at the clubs for not allowing their players to focus fully on the game.

“Some clubs have circled the wagons and decided ‘we don’t need anybody at the county’ and that is very difficult and it sends out the wrong signals,” he told the Irish News.