Brennan waiting on Diver and Holly
Derry manager John Brennan reckons that Joe Diver (knee) and Niall Holly (ankle) could be fit to play in Sunday week's Ulster SFC quarter-final against Fermanagh.
Speaking tonight at Derry's press night ahead of the Celtic Park encounter, Brennan commented on the injury situation in the Oak Leaf camp.
"Niall Holly got injured playing for Jordanstown (in the Sigerson Cup), as did Joe Diver," he explained.
"Those are the two men that we will be hoping will be back to help out PJ (McCloskey) and Michael Friel. I am optimistic that both Joe and Niall will be available.
"All they have played is two internal games, while Joe also featured against Sligo at the opening of the Ballinascreen pitch.
"They are missing out on game-time, but we have to have those players in. There is a doubt about one or two fellas, but I'm not going to say that they are not (available) because I want them there, and as far as I am concerned they will have to be there."
Ahead of his Championship bow as Derry boss, Brennan has a lengthy injury list to keep tabs on. Gerard O'Kane and Martin Donaghy are the latest players to pick up knocks, while Kevin McGuckin and Enda Muldoon have made timely returns.
"If I was to referring to IT I would say we have a virus. There is a midfield virus in Derry and I can't think of any other term for it.
"Gradually and hopefully it is clearing up by degrees. People are referring to Patsy Bradley (as a solution). Patsy hasn't played club football since last August so there is no point in asking him.
"The other aspect to it is Fergal Doherty. He doesn't feel up to playing (at the moment). He has played on occasion in matches for Bellaghy, he has come off and he is not there."
However, talismanic forward Paddy Bradley is definitely ruled out of the May 22 fixture. He suffered a cruciate knee ligament tear and is unlikely to play again this season.
"Paddy has been a role model this year and I know that he has got his criticism from inside and outside the county regarding his attitude," added Brennan.
"I know Paddy for a number of years. Paddy has got on exceptionally well so far this year. In 12 competitive matches Paddy was man-of-the-match on four occasions.
"To me this year he was going to get a second All-Star award. He was just phenomenal to watch. He is a loss to GAA supporters and spectators watching such a good talent.
"We will miss him dearly, but my attitude to that is that the rest of the players want to up their performance another three or four or five percent to counteract that.
"We have to manage with what we have on the day. We can't think back on what if, because that doesn't win matches."
