Sproule insists players made the call to particpate

IVAN Sproule has confirmed that Dergview will participate in this season Irish Cup although he said his club, like many of their Championship counterparts, still feel aggrieved about the fact that their league season didn’t get off the ground owing to a failure of those in authority granting it ‘elite’ status.

 

Dergview players returned to training last evening (Wednesday) for the first time this year in preparation for their first round showdown with neighbours Ballinamallard United on Saturday, May 1.

 

Six Championship clubs decided against taking part in local football’s blue riband knockout tournament – which unlike the Championship has been granted elite status –  and while Sproule admitted that the Castlederg club had taken their time to weigh up their options he said it was ultimately left to the players to make the final call.

 

“I kept in touch with the players throughout the whole Covid situation and I knew they were frustrated and missing their football more than anything,” he said.

 

“I rang around the players one weekend a few weeks back asking them the simple question do you want to play in the Irish Cup or not and the overriding feeling from everybody was yes they did.”

 

FULL STORY IN TODAY’S STRABANE CHRONICLE