MONAGHAN full-back Conor Boyle is facing a race against time to be fit for their Ulster SFC clash against Tyrone in three weeks’ time.
The Clontibret defender has been one of the key success stories from a National League campaign of many. Having flirted with inter-county football in the recent past, he has emerged as a regular in the full-back line and done well throughout.
But he missed his club’s league game with Scotstown at the weekend and his hamstring injury leaves him in the doubtful category for the key May 20 clash.
Conor McManus also sat out the game for the O’Neills but his absence was more precautionary, while Darren Hughes continued his recovery from a concussion to play the second half for the reigning county champions.
Meanwhile, Derry’s senior football squad escaped another weekend without any further injury worries, although Damian McErlain will have a tight eye on a busy week ahead.
Three of his panellists sat out games at the weekend. Benny Heron is already set to miss their Ulster opener against Donegal or Cavan on May 27, while Terence O’Brien didn’t play for the Loup in their win over Newbridge as he continues his recovery from a similar ac joint injury.
His absence is understood to only have been precautionary, as was that of Niall Toner from the Lavey line-up. He has missed their last few games with a recurrence of the hamstring problem that tormented him last year, but he is expected to return to training later this week.
Slaughtneil were back at close to full strength for their win over Bellaghy on Sunday, with their six-man county contingent all coming through unscathed, while Enda Lynn hit 1-5 for Greenlough in their loss to Magherafelt.
Mark Lynch was only introduced late on as Banagher overcame Desertmartin in the intermediate league.
The run of club games hasn’t been as kind to Oak Leaf hurling manager Collie McGurk, who has lost Eamon McGill (bruised kidneys), Alan Grant (broken hand), Darragh McCloskey (broken hand), Sean Cassidy (hamstring) and Gerald Bradley ahead of the start of their Christy Ring Cup campaign. All five also play football for their clubs.
Donegal’s entire squad was on a training weekend at Queen’s University while their club leagues continued on without them, while the Armagh panel has been on a foreign excursion to Portugal.
Tyrone have continued to play club league games, one of which may have cost them the services of top-scorer Lee Brennan after he suffered a hamstring injury playing for Trillick on Sunday, and they will go for their usual training weekend to Carton House on the May Day bank holiday weekend.
