Damian Barton getting used to putting it all on the line for Derry

Damian Barton admits he’s had to learn to stay calm and detached on the sideline in his first year in inter-county management.

When he took over the Derry job at the start of the season, the 1993 All-Ireland winner promised to restore pride and passion in the Oak Leaf jersey but quickly discovered emotion is not always a good thing.

An eight-week touchline suspension for his part in a heated brawl during the McKenna Cup final defeat by Tyrone — their opponents in Sunday’s Ulster championship clash in Celtic Park — was a hard but valuable lesson.