News: Gerard Cavlan has declared himself fit to face Armagh in the All-Ireland football final on September 28th.

The Tyrone forward missed a club championship game last weekend with a calf muscle injury, but is due to resume training next week.

With skipper Peter Canavan in a race against time to recover from ankle-ligament damage in time for the all-Ulster decider, the loss of Cavlan had threatened to rob the side of its two most experienced attackers. But hopes are growing that both will be fit to face defending champions Armagh in just over three weeks' time.

Canavan had a cast removed from his left ankle earlier this week, and is receiving specialist treatment in an attempt to accelerate recovery. He is unlikely to train until the final week of preparations for the decider.

The Sligo County Board has delayed naming a successor to Peter Ford for at least another two weeks. The board is tight-lipped as to the identity of the front-runners for the managerial post but it is understood former Derry boss Eamon Coleman and Sligo's James Kearins, a brother of former county star Mickey Kearins, may be in contention. A spokesman for the county board said yesterday negotiations were at a delicate stage.