Peter Canavan has said that the Rory Gallagher domestic abuse allegations and subsequent fallout have 'overshadowed' Sunday's Ulster final between Derry and Armagh.
The two sides meet in Clones on Sunday afternoon but Gallagher will not be on the sidelines for Derry after announcing he would step back as manager following domestic abuse allegations.
Nicola Gallagher, the estranged wife of the Derry boss, made serious domestic abuse allegations against the Fermanagh native earlier this week and in response to Ms Gallagher's allegations, Mr Gallagher released a statement through his solicitors claiming all allegations had been investigated and dealt with by the proper authorities.
READ MORE: Rory Gallagher situation "a mental distraction" for Derry - Ciaran Whelan
Appearing on RTE's Sunday Game, Canavan addressed the situation and said it has 'overshadowed' the 2023 Ulster final.
Speaking to Joanne Cantwell, he said: "It has overshadowed this Ulster final Joanne there is no doubt about that. From a player's point of view and for Derry as much as they will try and put this to the side and remain focused on what they are supposed to do, everywhere they would have went it will have been the topic of conversation up here in Ulster and throughout the country.
"It's going to get to them but they have a job to do and we don't know how it is going to affect them.
"I'm thinking of different situations as a player and in recent years where players have had to deal with something prior to a game.
"I recall last year working on the Armagh v Monaghan game and Brendan Og Duffy had lost his life the night before and I was going to the game and no more wanted to be there.
"The Monaghan players played and played out of their skins and players do what they do. They have an inner resolve about them and that is what the Derry players are going to have to do. They are going to have to go out today and get on with it and do their best for their county."
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