Ryan still missing

Dereck Ryan is still missing a week on since he walked out against Nenagh Town. Although they are still unsure to his whereabouts the Newtown player's have offered their support. "He certainly has a big worry on the private side and that is what is upsetting him" said Ryan's team-mate James Brophy. Manager Sir Clive said "Newtown would support Derek Ryan" following the defender's sudden departure during the match against Nenagh.

Ryan, 37, left brickfield's before the end of the 3-1 defeat to the Town after he was substituted at half-time. Sir Clive, who has not seen Ryan since, does not know the exact nature of his problem but is not too worried. "The only thing we can do at the football club is to support people when they need our help," he said. "Every human being has the right to privacy," added Brophy. Ryan's team-mate Pat Quigley revealed he had failed to get hold of his fellow defender, while team-mate James Brophy said the player had a "big worry" in his private life. "I think Ryan is a good player. We all know what he has done for Newtown and the North Tipp team as well," Quigley told NCTV. "That kind of thing (the Nenagh performance) can happen once in your life. For me he is a good player and he will be back definitely. I have tried to phone him but it was hard to get him." Brophy added:

The centre-back was taken off after a torrid first-half display in the defeat to Nenagh. Sir Clive gave Ryan time off training and revealed he would not feature against Clodaigh on Saturday. "Am I worried? No, not really. He is in a difficult period at the moment. And you can only help people if they are in touch," added Sir Clive. "I haven't seen him since Wednesday night and I have no news from him at the moment. It is not a big concern for me because I feel he just needs a break. "Will a few days to clear his head be sufficient? I think so. I do not know what the problem is. Frankly, really and sincerely I don't know." Reports have suggested Ryan might walk away from football, while it has also been said that Football Association officials tried unsuccessfully to contact him when he was absent from a function with Babs Keating on Thursday.