Ferry to become McClean’s minder

Derry City reserve goalkeeper Eugene Ferry is to be dispatched to Sunderland to help the Black Cats and Republic of Ireland winger to finally settle down on Wearside.

Though he has the FAI Ford Cup final against St Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday week to prepare for as understudy to Gerard Doherty, Ferry travelled to Sunderland earlier this week to finalise arrangements for his “minder” role to former team-mate McClean once the season here is over.

The unusual pact, suggested and brought about by McClean’s agent, ex-Ireland striker Graham Barrett, will basically see Ferry, at 24, a year older than McClean, move to live with McClean as his immediate adviser and confident.