DERRY CITY: Aaron Barry '˜gutted' as injury ends season

Aaron Barry, Derry City, pictured celebrating scoring his side's first goal in the 3-0 win at Bray earlier this season, says he had no choice but to cut short his season due to injury.

The 23 year-old Arklow native made the painstaking decision this week after consulting with club physio, Michael Hegarty and Derry City boss, Kenny Shiels.

Barry has struggled with a small tear in his cartilage since the opening day of the season and the trio reluctantly decided it was better he went under the surgeon’s knife now rather than continue to play through the pain barrier.

He aggravated the injury during the first half of Derry’s 1-1 draw in Longford back in early April and agrees he probably returned to action too soon.

Having missed the last seven games, it was time to make a decision and he felt it was better to get the procedure done now to ensure he could be back playing for the start of the 2017 season.

“We had it checked the other day; myself, Kenny (Shiels) and Mickey (Hegarty) and we just made the decision that it was probably the best option rather than sitting around and delaying it,” confirmed the Co. Wicklow man.

“There’s a little tear in the cartilage which has been causing other problems which can escalate themselves and they then become major issues. So I had to take my foot off the gas and reassess things.

“This is the agreement we came to so I’m anxious to get the operation done and get back playing as soon as possible.

“I might have got one more game but I might not have. I think Kenny, Mickey and myself just accepted that it was better to get it done now and bite the bullet.

“Obviously that means missing the remainder of the season. But long term it’s probably better for myself and for the club.”