Donegal have suffered further misfortune in their preparations for Sunday's Ulster football semi-final against the All-Ireland champions, Tyrone. Resigned to the loss of Kevin Cassidy, Brian McEniff and his selectors may now have to plan without their chief playmaker, Michael Hegarty.
The elegant centre forward from Kilcar was injured during a club game and has been unable to train since. Hegarty's presence and scoring threat was one of the most striking aspects of Donegal's low-key victory over Antrim two weeks ago.
Although he is undergoing extensive physiotherapy in the hope of recovering in time to take his place, Hegarty is regarded as being highly doubtful.
Paul McGonigle, the most physical presence on the team, is also recovering from a leg injury but may recover in time to play some role in the match.
Brighter news is the return of Brian Roper. The Aodh Ruadh man will automatically replace Hegarty in the half-forward line if the latter is unfit to play but Roper would be regarded as a potential starter in any case.
Club games have proven particularly costly to Donegal in the early part of summer, with Jim McGuinness and Johnny McCafferty both sidelined with medium-term injuries on the eve of the Antrim match.
McEniff will name his side later in the week. His one consolation is that he has strong cover in Cassidy's absence. It is expected Four Masters player Shane Carr will return to the team. Carr had a distinguished championship campaign last summer and got squeezed out of the team because of the exceptionally promising form shown by Eamonn McGee during the league.
Sunday will almost certainly mark the long-awaited return of Peter Canavan. Although Mickey Harte was not expected to name his Tyrone team until later in the week, he has confirmed that last year's All-Ireland winning captain will start the Ulster semi-final on the bench.
Given the champions' insipid display against Fermanagh a fortnight ago, it seems highly likely he will be introduced at some stage. Canavan appeared in a reserve game for his club Errigal Ciarán last week, the most encouraging step in what has been a gentle rehabilitation. Harte's week has been further brightened by the imminent return of Brian Dooher.
Mick O'Dwyer will name his Laois team to face Meath after training tomorrow night. He has a full squad available.
Seán Boylan was due to name his Meath team last night. Joe Sheridan was expected to return to the team after serving a 12-week suspension. Impressive during the National League, his availability will strengthen a Meath attack that impressed sporadically against Wicklow.
Sheridan's return was overshadowed somewhat by the announcement that Graham Geraghty will almost certainly play some part in this year's championship although probably not on Sunday.
John Cullinane is ruled out of the equation having sustained a broken nose in a club game recently. The only other worry is Shane McKeigue, who has been troubled by a dead leg after a recent club game. However, it is not anticipated he will be able to start on Sunday, if selected.
