By Niall Gartland

DERRY legend Paddy Bradley believes their prospects in their Ulster Championship quarter-final clash against Donegal this weekend could hinge on the availability of Michael Murphy.

Murphy had to leave the pitch early in their preliminary round victory over Armagh due to the recurrence of a hamstring strain, but the man himself said after the game that he was confident of recovering in time for their quarter-final clash against the Oak Leafers.

Bradley isn’t sure whether Division Three champions Derry have improved enough to be able to pull off an upset against Declan Bonner’s side, and at the time of writing it seems Murphy will be fit.

“I think we’re in a good place compared to four or five years ago. Rory (Gallagher) has them going well but it’s important not to get carried away as we shouldn’t have been in Division Three or Four in last the number of years, it’s not where the county aspires to be.

“Rory will only really find out how well the seniors are going when they play Donegal, they might be missing Michael Murphy so maybe there’s a squeak of a chance there that maybe they could get over them.

“But Ballybofey is a notoriously hard place to go. If they hang in for 55 minutes and put in a performance, even if they end up losing the game, I think most people would be content enough.”