ULSTER MANAGER Joe Kernan’s preparations for Sunday’s M Donnelly Interprovincial football final against Munster have been dealt a blow by an unexpected club fixtures schedule.

Five of the nine Tyrone players in the squad are involved in club games on Saturday, and will not be able to fly to London with the main party.They will board a later flight from Belfast on Saturday evening to link up with their provincial colleagues. “We fly out from Belfast on Saturday at one o’clock, and the others will leave later on Saturday evening,” Kernan confirmed.

John Devine and Davy Harte will play for Errigal Ciarán against Carrickmore, who will have Conor Gormley in their side, in the Tyrone Division One league final replay on Saturday. Errigal’s Enda McGinley will miss the rematch after receiving a straight red card in last weekend’s drawn game, but is eligible to play for Ulster. McGinley, who is his club’s captain, is expected to travel to London on the later flight.

Pascal McConnell is also involved in club action on Saturday. He will play for Newtownstewart in the Ulster Club JFC against Emyvale, after the tie was postponed last Sunday due to a waterlogged Omagh pitch.

Kernan refused to comment on whether the Tyrone players’ involvement in matches just 24 hours before the interprovincial final would affect their chances of selection in the starting 15 against Munster at Ruislip. “I’m meeting the players on Wednesday night, and all I can say at this stage is all the players are available,” he said.

Meanwhile, former All-Star Kieran Fitzgerald has been ruled out of the Corofin side for Sunday’s Connacht club football semi-final against Leitrim champions Glencar/Manorhamilton. The Galway defender suffered a hamstring tear in a league game against Tuam Stars the weekend before last. “He has not been able to train and could be out for some time,” said Corofin manager Gerry Keane.