Roscommon severely weakened for Cork’s visit to Dr. Hyde Park
GAA
by Michael Ellard
ROSCOMMON will be short five first team players for the visit of All Ireland finalist’s Cork to Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday for the second round of the Church and General National Football League.
Michael Ryan, Fergus O’Donnell, Kieran Heneghan and Alan Nolan are all club tied with Roscommon Gaels, who meet Crossmolina in the Connacht final on Sunday week, while midfielder Tom Ryan is taking a rest.
However, Roscommon Gaels have released centre back and team captain Clifford McDonnell.
According to County Secretary Tom Mullaney: "we had a semi experimental team for our opening game against Galway and lost heavily and we could have an even weaker side out for our game with Cork." Donegal, who host to Galway at Ballybofey, will be missing wing forward Brian Roper. Star of Donegal’s thrilling one point victory over Armagh in the opening round, Roper is on vacation in the U.S.
Team manager Declan Bonner is keeping his fingers crossed that regular centre back Martin Caul will be fit to play. Caul has been out of action for the past three weeks because of a damaged ankle ligament but resumed training on Monday night.
Galway will be without left half back Tommy Joyce who was sent off while playing with Killererin in the Connacht club semi final on Sunday last.
Manager John O’Mahony also revealed that injury doubts surround centre back John Divilley and corner forward John Donnellan. When the counties met in Tuam in the corresponding fixture last season Galway won by a point. "That was a great open game of football and I am sure we will have a repeat, hopefully with a different result," said Bonner.
Armagh will be minus their Crossmaglen contingent for their trip to Dublin. Oisin McConville, John Donaldson and the McEntee twins, John and Tony, will be in action for the Rangers in the Ulster club final on Sunday week. Dublin expect to have Declan Darcy back after missing the opening game against Tyrone, but both Jason Sherlock and Senan Connell will miss out because of suspension. Brian Stynes is still in Australia.
Sherlock was suspended for a month after being sent off in the Tyrone game while Connell got his walking papers while assisting Na Fianna in last Sunday’s Leinster club championship against Rathnew of Wicklow.
A decision will be made later in the week whether or not to call up two other Na Fianna players Dessie Farrell and Thomo Lynch because of their involvement in the Leinster semi final against Portlaoise on Sunday week. A question mark surrounds the appearance of Trevor Giles for Meath who take on Sligo on Sunday. He is due to play in the Meath county final with Skyrne on Sunday week as is John McDermott.
Mayo will be short utility forward Kieran McDonald for their game with Fermanagh because of his sending off in a club game last weekend.
Because of Sarsfields involvement in the Leinster championship on Sunday week, Kildare will be without midfielders John Whelan and Dermot Early as well as corner forwards David Earley and Padraic Brennan for their home game with Derry at Newbridge.
© The Examiner, 1999