Derry manager Brian McIver has explained why he made so many substitutions during a critical period in their Ulster SFC semi-final defeat to Donegal.

McIver and his selectors raised an eyebrow or two when Eoin Bradley and Cailean O'Boyle in particular were hauled ashore during the second half of the match.

The game was in the melting pot at the time and with Sean Leo McGoldrick and Oisin Duffy also brought off around this time, Derry looked to struggle a bit for scores.

However McIver told the County Derry Post that the players concerned looked tired and fresh legs were needed to try and penetrate the Donegal defence.

"You have days as a forward when things go for you and go over. It was one of those days for Eoin when it wasn't going over," said McIver.

"We had to change it around. Sean Leo put in 100%, as he always does, but we needed fresh legs. The players we sent in at the end were for fresh legs. When you go chasing the game, you really need fresh legs and to be fair to the lads that came in like Liam McGoldrick, they did well."

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