DERRY manager Damian Barton was ‘very proud’ of his players in the aftermath of Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier exit in Castlebar but sidestepped a question regarding his future at the helm.

“I am very proud of the way the boys applied themselves, especially in normal time,” commented Barton.  “We could have won the game in normal time.  Once it went to extra-time, I think 11 points (margin) is harsh, but they had a bit more depth than us.”

In the build-up to Saturday’s encounter Barton citied intensity as the key factor in the game and reiterated his comments in his post-game interview.

“At this level, in division one, it is all about intensity, you don’t get that time on the ball,” Barton added.  “You get smothered – they’ll have learned quite a bit from that today so it is very, very important that we get back and up a division next year which would be the goal.

Down escaped the drop from division two with a late point, something Barton felt Down were able to build on and lamented Derry’s relegation to division three: “We needed a break and if we had got a break today, it would have been awesome for this team, awesome for Derry football and for those coming behind.”

When asked on Saturday by the County Derry Post of any plans towards next season, Barton was non-committal on the challenge of lifting the county from division three: “I would say probably the bar at eleven o’clock tonight would be the best place to discuss that,” dismissed the Derry boss.

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