McGoldrick doubtful for Derry

Barry McGoldrick is a major injury concern for Derry ahead of their Ulster SFC quarter-final against Fermanagh at Celtic Park on Sunday.

The Oak Leaf captain missed an in-house challenge game last Sunday as he continues to struggle with a groin problem.

However, midfielders Joe Diver and Niall Holly have both been declared fit for Derry's Championship bow after recovering from recent injuries.

Speaking ahead of the game, McGoldrick believes that whatever team manager John Brennan decides to field this weekend will offer a good mix.

"There are a lot of men there that are very, very young and it is their first time in the squad," he said.

"Whatever team we put out will have a good mix of experience and youth there."

However, McGoldrick concedes that Derry's Championship form in the last few years has not been satisfactory.

"Over the last four or five years we have done nothing in the Ulster Championship that warrants favouritism or the favourites' tag.

"We will be looking to put that right over this next couple of months. We haven't done anything and the boys aren't going into this game with a big-headed approach to it.

"Derry have some very good individual players, but as a team sometimes we just haven't performed.

"That is the bottom line for whatever reason. We need to look into it. I have been with the Derry squad for five or six years and have won nothing (in the Championship).

"National Leagues mean nothing, we have no Ulster Championship and we are looking towards this game to get ourselves in the right momentum.

"Not to get to one Ulster final over the last couple of years is ridiculous and that is just down to ourselves."

McGoldrick recognises the challenge that Fermanagh will pose, remembering Derry's loss to the Ernesiders in the Championship three years ago.

"We will take Fermanagh on their merits. They are a good side and they will be missing some players too, but we will be taking that game with nothing for granted in the slightest.

"We will be hoping that we can put in a good performance and hopefully if we play well and the attitude is right, we will get the right result."

McGoldrick is also hopeful that he and his colleagues can get the Derry support on side as he believes that the Oak Leafers will require the '16th man' to get over the line on Sunday.

"If we are honest we haven't given them much to shout about, but hopefully if we can get a good start in the game and the crowd is with you the boys will get their confidence up.

"Hopefully then you will see the crowd play a little bit more of a part," he added.