Co-Manager Fergal Logan, revealed Matt Donnelly’s chances on Saturday, with the opening Tyrone Ulster Championship meeting Farmanag, are based on the success of his intensive rehab program.
The former captain lasted more than 10 minutes after coming off the bench in his last league game against Kerry.
After a shoulder injury he conditionally struggled with fitness, but this latest failure could rule out a pre-first trip to Enniskillen.
“Matt has a bump injury and is working hard as you would expect.
“You know his technique, he rehabs, rehabs, rehabs, and he works really hard to get everything in order,” Logan said.
Peter Hart, one of the Handicap’s top stars during the tournament, underwent surgery for appendicitis last week, but Logan expects to be ready to meet the Earn men.
The All-Star midfielder lost the win to Kerry due to a leg injury, but he will also be poised to first defend the full Tyrone Ulster and Ireland titles.
“Brian had very small cells and was lucky to be gassed and took a few stitches which was an unfortunate injury.
But let’s hope Brian is at his best.
Michael O’Neill missed the entire tournament with a stomach problem but returned to full training and fought for a match at Brewster Park.
“Michael is very close. He’s back, in full training, a full game, so it’s about competing for a seat, but he’s back.
“It’s one of those general tummies, on the pelvic floor, and that happens to guys when they’re training hard.”
(Photo: © INPHO / Evan Logan)
Logan has dismissed speculation that he and Brian Dohr may lead several members of the Under-20 team to fill in the numbers after seven players left.
Tyrone U20 will face Donegal in the Ulster semi-final tonight (Friday).
“We have to work on what we have here and that’s the basis of life,” Logan said.
We have a good team of players with serious ambitions and I expect them to perform well as a group.
“I think it’s better for them overall, for the fairness of Paul (Devlin), Owen (Mulligan) and Derm (Carlin) and for the development of their players and the integrity of this competition, I think it’s best for them to play with the 1920s.
“Hopefully they go all the way and there’s no pressure on that road. We just want to say they’re good and doing well, then we’ll see.
“And he will turn these guys into players.”
Source: Belfastlive
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