Derry City boss avoids James McClean questions ahead of Sligo Rovers clash Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch refused to answer questions about James McClean after their 1-1 draw with St Patrick’s Athletic, with the next fixture against Sligo Rovers looming. Lynch was asked four times about McClean’s absence and social media posts but focused solely on his players’ performance. League standing: 10th in Premier Division, 22 pts, 5W-7D-14L from 26 games, recent form DDLLD. ## What happened in the match? Derry City came from behind to earn a point at St Patrick’s Athletic, with James Clarke’s second-half strike cancelling out Aidan Keena’s penalty. The match was overshadowed by McClean’s absence and his recent social media activity, which included a post attacking Roddy Collins.

Why did Lynch avoid the questions? Lynch repeatedly deflected questions about McClean, emphasizing his focus on the players who took the field. He praised his team’s resilience, especially after their European exit to Rijeka just days earlier.

What comes next for Sligo Rovers? Sligo Rovers, currently 10th in the Premier Division with 22 points, will face Derry City on August 7. The Bit O’Red are sixth in the table and will be looking to build on their recent form. Recent form (last 5): 1W-3D-1L (DDDWL, most recent first). Next fixture: vs Derry City (away, 2026-08-07).