Ciaran Minagh: Derry manager tells Ciaran McFall ‘is not in a position to commit’

Derry manager Ciaran Minagh has confirmed that Ciaran McFaul is “not in a position to commit” to the 2026 Oak Leaf committee.

McFaul came on as a second-half substitute in Derry’s 2023 Ulster final win over Armagh, scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out.

The Glen man also won an All-Ireland title with his club in 2024, and has been one of the county’s most consistent players over the past decade.

“Ciaran McFaul is not in a position to commit this year, so he is not part of the committee,” Minagh told BBC Sport NI after his side’s 2-16 0-7 win over Antrim in the Dr McKenna Cup.

Derry defender Eoin McEvoy will return to action later in the year after returning from injury.

In another boost, two Slaughtneil stars return after their club’s run to the All-Ireland semi-final where they lost to Loughrea in December.

“Eoin McEvoy is part of the panel, he’s just come back from knee tendinopathy and is making incredible progress. He’s chomping at the bit and is ready to go, so I’m looking forward to having him back soon,” Minagh continued.

“The Slaughtneil team are back in training now. Brendan (Rogers) and Shane (McGuigan) are back out there this week.

“So, we’ve got everyone in good shape. We haven’t had a pile of injuries outside of that, we’re in a pretty healthy place now.”