McKinless absence for season 'a massive blow' for Derry

Gareth McKinless will miss the entire 2025 season with a cruciate ligament injury

Confirmation that Derry's Gareth McKinless has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season has been described as "a massive blow" for the Oak Leafers.

McKinless, a 2023 All Star, suffered a cruciate ligament injury during Ballinderry's All Ireland Intermediate Club Championship final.

Speaking on BBC Sport NI's The GAA Social, former Armagh All-Ireland winner Oisin McConville said the player's absence would be keenly felt.

"Derry don't have anyone who can naturally fill that void. They have talented players who can come in and play that position, but they'll miss that bit of experience that he has and those positions he can get into which require a bit of cuteness to get into."

Derry's 5-15 to 1-24 reverse at the hands of Kerry on Sunday made it two defeats from two for Paddy Tally's side in Division One of the Football League.

"I don't think Derry played poorly and I don't think Kerry played out of their skin but if you concede five goals that definitely leaves question marks," observed McConville.

"Some of those goals were definitely avoidable and that's definitely something that Derry need to tidy up.

"And you're pointless after two games which is not ideal territory either. I think Paddy Tally and his team probably need a win at this stage."

A visit of Galway to Celtic Park is next up for the Ulster county.

"I think they've done a lot of good stuff over the last couple of weeks but Division One is pretty unforgiving," added McConville.

"You get over one game and then look down the track and it's another really tough game upcoming.