Club games set to go ahead

IN a dramatic u-turn, this weekend’s Derry club football games are set to go ahead. Clubs had been informed on Thursday evening that, should they wish to do so, clubs with county senior or minor footballers could postpone their game this weekend. That email came from a member of the county executive committee but in a further twist on Friday, Derry CCC issued a diktat to clubs that it had “plenary powers” and that all games must go ahead. Many clubs and county players are understood to be disappointed by the decision to play the games. Derrynow.com understands that county players were under the impression that they would miss three club league games as part of their preparations for Derry’s Ulster Championship campaign. The players missed all three rounds directly prior to the win over Down at the start of June. County players were allowed to play in the subsequent round of club games on the weekend of June 14. Clubs have also been warned that failure to field this weekend will result in the deduction of three points, as per this year’s league regulations. The news will be of grave concern to Oak Leaf boss Brian McIver, with the distraction eating into preparations for next Saturday’s Ulster Championship semi-final with Donegal. The fixtures begin on Saturday with Dungiven facing Bellaghy at 1pm. A number of games have already been moved to Monday night as the clubs involved have players on county duty with Derry hurlers on Sunday.