KILCOO forward Ryan Johnston is Down’s latest fitness doubt for the Mourne county’s Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Armagh.
The Irish News understands that Johnston has been unable to shake-off a persistent hamstring strain and is struggling to be fully fit for the throw-in on June 4.
According to unconfirmed reports, manager Eamonn Burns had only 19 fit players to work with at a recent training session and, with full-back Benny McArdle already ruled out with a broken metatarsal, the participation of corner-back Ryan McAleenan is now also in doubt. However, there is better news on Jerome Johnston who is fit for the showdown at Newry’s Pairc Esler.
Meanwhile, Armagh have been boosted by the return to fitness of goalkeeper Paddy Morrison. The Armagh Harps clubman has returned to full training while key forward Jamie Clarke – thought by many to be crucial to the Orchard county’s prospects in the game – is still wearing a protective boot, but it is thought to be precautionary.
