Derry to appeal Chrissy McKaigue red card appeal against Down

The Oak Leaf talisman received a straight red for what appeared to be a hand in the face of Down’s Ceilum Doherty after McKaigue was confronted by two Mourne players in front of the home dug out.

As it stands the Slaughtneil man would miss Saturday’s McKenna final against Tyrone, who ironically saw the red card Paudie Hampsey received against Derry over turned in time for their semi-final victory over Cavan.

“Well, Paudie Hampsey appealed and if there was nothing to that, then Chrissy, we’ll look at it,” explained Gallagher, “But if it’s not worth appealing, it’s not worth appealing and he’ll miss a McKenna Cup final. According to him he just stood his ground, but I don’t know, there was that much happening.”

Derry’s victory means, regardless of any appeal, McKaigue will be available for the start of the National League against Limerick. Indeed, should McKaigue be missing in the Athletic Grounds, it will mean added responsibility for Eoin McEvoy who had impressed in his three McKenna Cup outings to date.

"We wanted him (McEvoy) stuck in the middle of it and if he had have been old enough we would have played him last year,” added Gallagher.

"He picked up a knee injury coming up to the Mac Rory final and never picked up traction, but he’s physically there. Himself and Lachlan (Murray), they are 19, 20, and it’s great to get them exposure. The more they play with our established players, they will fit naturally into it.”