McKenna Cup mediator Joe Kernan insists he won't pressurise inter-county managers into releasing players to their colleges.

The Crossmaglen and Ulster inter-provincial manager was appointed last week to mediate in disputes between county and college teams ahead of the start of next season's Ulster pre-season competition. Under the rules of the McKenna Cup, colleges are entitled to have first call on student players, but some inter-county managers - including Tyrone's Mickey Harte - haven't always complied.

Speaking to the Irish News, Kernan said he will be relying on the goodwill of managers in a bid to resolve any disputes which may arise.

"I'm not there to beat someone and say: 'If you don't do this, then this will be your penalty.' All I will be saying is that they have released no players. I will ask them: 'Is there any player you can release which will help the colleges field a team?'

"I will remind them that their players will still be playing matches and they will be able to watch them. My job is very simple. If people don't want to talk to each other, I will go in between and ask a few questions."

The former Armagh boss added: "When I was a county manager myself, we always tried to facilitate the colleges and we did release players.

"My only problem with colleges was when they used players who we knew were injured. Then I had a problem. Otherwise, we facilitated the colleges.

"Like the referees, like the media, everybody has a job to do and you try to facilitate as many people as possible. You are not always going to make everybody happy, but there should be a bit of common ground." Tweet

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