Mark Lynch will be “a massive loss” to the Derry senior football squad according to his former coach Adrian McGuckin.

Lynch announced his inter-county retirement last night after 15 seasons with the Oak Leafers and, speaking to The Irish News, ex- St Patrick's, Maghera and UUJ coach McGuckin was full of praise for his former pupil.

“He'll be a massive loss for Derry. They'll find it hard to replace the personality that he has and the leadership that he possesses,” he stated.

“I'm certain that all the boys in whatever squad he played in always looked up to him, not just as a footballer, but as a person.

“I can't emphasise enough the great lad that he is and how humble and down to earth that he is, despite the great ability that he has and the achievements he has had, it never ever phased him, he was just still Mark.

“I suppose with Derry now in Division Four, the management would have liked a player of the calibre of Mark to pull them out of where they are at the moment with the leadership skills that he has. They've would've wanted him, but I've feeling that Mark made the right decision, he works in his family business, he has a young family and playing for county and all that there just doesn't go hand-in-hand.

“Certainly, Derry will be missing him, but they'll have to learn and somebody else will have to take on the leadership mantle.”

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