Was he ever away...?There's been more mystery and intrigue surrounding Derry footballing circles in the past day and a half than a compendium of Sherlock Holmes, Tom Ripley and Scooby-doo.
It was widely reported yesterday that Paddy Bradley had left the Derry senior panel (even this most reputable of blogs carried the story), and this was taken as read until Mark Sidebottom interviewed Bradley's father Liam on BBC Newsline yesterday evening. The "Baker" said that he expected Paddy to be "involved with Derry on Saturday evening" (against Monaghan), and suddenly nobody had a scooby-doo what to believe.
Next, the Derry County Board decided to throw their tuppence-worth into an ever-confusing mix by releasing a statement saying that they "wish to end unsubstantiated rumours escalating in the media that Paddy Bradley has left the Derry Senior football panel". And that "such rumours are totally unfounded and without substance."
All the papers are carried the story about Derry denying Bradley's departure in their Sports headlines today, with Paddy Heaney's column in the Irish News outlining what appears to be a realistic version of events.
Clearly Paddy Bradley signalled some sort of intention to the Derry management after training on Sunday past. There is no smoke without fire after all. He has changed his mind however, and it is now apparent that Bradley is back in the Derry squad. Welcome news for all Derry followers, and a relief no doubt to Damian Cassidy and the Oakleaf squad as a whole.
The Monaghan game is fast approaching, and whether Bradley is in 100% condition to start must be extremely doubtful at this stage, but at least it now appears he may be available to play some part.
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