Derry deny Bradley rift

Derry GAA chiefs last night hit out at "unfounded rumours" that Paddy Bradley had left the county football panel – and said he will be back at training tonight.

A strongly-worded statement scotched reports that Bradley informed manager Damien Cassidy he was withdrawing for the squad and said he will be available for Saturday’s qualifier clash with Monaghan.

The statement said: "Management and players wish to end unsubstantiated rumours escalating in the media that Paddy Bradley has left the Derry senior football panel. Such rumours are totally unfounded and without substance. Paddy Bradley completed a full training session with the team on Sunday morning and will resume training on Tuesday night.

"We trust this terminates any speculation escalating in the public domain, and that management and players are enabled to concentrate on their sole focus of the qualifier game taking place on Saturday."