DERRY GAA: Barton to call on Anthony Tohill as new Derry backroom team takes shape

Barton is expecting current Coalisland manager and Edendork player, Brian McGuckin, to link up as coach and said he was also hopeful former county keeper and Ballinderry stalwart, Michael Conlan, would accept an offer to join as goalkeeper coach.

Confirming Tony Scullion’s role as an advisory, the Newbridge man said he was would have no hesitation in asking further members of the All Ireland winning team, like Anthony Tohill, for advice should the need arise.

“I have asked Brian (McGuckin) to become involved as coach,” explained the new Derry manager, “Brian is from Ballinderry stock and is currently playing for Edendork and managing Coalisland. He is young and ambitious and I like what he does. I like the relationship he can strike up with his players which is a very important thing. You play the way you train in my book and I think Brian is going to be involved.

“There has been a lot of speculation around Tony Scullion’s involvement. Tony will be involved in an advisory capacity as will a lot of my colleagues from 1993. I won’t have any qualms about lifting the phone and asking Anthony Tohill for his opinion in an advisory capacity similar to Tony’s. He has been International Rules manager and a successful one at that.

“I’m going to be calling on a lot of people around Derry to help out. Eoin Bradley is going to become involved again as strength and conditioning coach which is very important, especially at this time of the year.

“I’ve asked Michael Conlan to consider becoming the goalkeeping coach. Michael is someone is respect and I think that feeling is mutual which is a good starting point. He has values that I want to see associated with the side but there will be others. i am not in any panic at this stage and if for any reason some of those people cannot do the job , we’ll just have to move on.”