Bradley returns to Derry Camp

The former All-star who reportedly 'retired' from the inter-county scene last season has, it is understood. been coaxed back into the line-up as preparations for next season get underway.

29-year-old Bradley, who recently got married, walked out of a training camp in the midst of the All-Ireland qualifiers series last summer. He did so after being informed by then manager, Damien Cassidy, that he had been ditched from the starting 15 against Carlow.

Whilst his leaving of the panel this summer was mooted as a retirement it is believed that Bradley never had a good relationship with Cassidy. Indeed the talented forward had also quit the Derry panel in 2009 and had to be heavily coaxed to return to the camp at that point as well. Chances of his return to the fold again for the 2011 season were however significantly increased when Damien Cassidy tendered his resignation after completing two of a three season tenure with the Oak Leafers.

It is understood that Bradley required little if any persuasion to return to the senior panel when invited by John Brennan. Whilst some have queried Bradley's motivation to compete at the top level, it will undoubtedly come as relief to Brennan that the situation that greeted him when he took over as manager. In the initial stages of his tenure, Brennan was confronted with Paddy Bradley's 'retirement' and the fact his younger brother Eoghan had been meted out a 48-week ban.

With the younger Bradley brother's ban having been halved, it now means that, fitness permitting, both men be available to face Fermanagh in the opening round of the 2011 Ulster Championship. Whilst the opinion of fans across Derry has long been divided on the contribution of Paddy Bradley to Championship success, or indeed the complete lack of success, it is not in doubt that a Derry starting 15 without either Bradley would strike little fear into any Championship opposition in Ulster or throughout the remainder of the country.

Whatever the line-up is however, what is certain is that John Brennan will soon find out what it is like to make the step up from a successful club career to the maelstrom of inter-county management.

Brennan will have the small luxury of using the McKenna Cup to 'blood' squad players in January before the stern task of facing Tyrone in the NFL at Celtic Park on February 6, 2011.