Football

Rory Dunne an injury doubt for Cavan; Ronan McNabb out for Tyrone

Cavan defender Rory Dunne is an injury doubt for Sunday’s derby with Monaghan. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Cavan defender Rory Dunne is an injury doubt for Sunday’s derby with Monaghan. Picture by Seamus Loughran Cavan defender Rory Dunne is an injury doubt for Sunday’s derby with Monaghan. Picture by Seamus Loughran

RORY Dunne has emerged as Cavan’s latest injury doubt ahead of their Ulster Championship derby clash with Monaghan on Sunday.

The Redhills defender had lost his place in the Breffni line-up at the start of the League after missing their McKenna Cup win over Tyrone through illness and then struggling to force his way back in.

He was still on the sidelines when they travelled to Inniskeen and drew 0-7 apiece but regained his place for the win in Mayo and held on to a place until the end of the League.

The 28-year-old missed a large chunk of last year after suffering a dislocated ankle during the county’s 2015 qualifier win over London.

Dunne seems set to miss Sunday’s meeting with Monaghan in which he would most likely have been earmarked for a duel with either Conor McManus or Jack McCarron.

Killian Clarke, thus, could be set to continue at full-back after fine displays on the edge of the square against Mayo and Kerry in the League.

Cavan are also sweating on Dara McVeety, with boss Mattie McGleenan saying he will give the Crosserlough man “until the 11th morning” before deciding on his fitness.

“Dara has been probably the talisman for us throughout the League,” said the Cavan manager.

“What you want in a footballer, Dara McVeety is the man. He’s been a natural leader, in the big games when we needed somebody to stand up, Dara was doing that.

“But the other side of it is, the Cavan team we’re trying to put together is not a one man show.”