DARACH O’CONNOR is expected to return to Donegal’s colours this Sunday in a challenge game against Sligo at Coláiste Ailigh.
Donegal manager Rory Gallagher says he will use the chance to give some of the new faces on his panel a run, but Buncana man O’Connor seems set to get a first game in the Donegal shirt since July 2015.
Sunday’s game will be a 13-a-side fixture at Coláiste Ailigh and comes a year after a planned game with Derry to mark the opening of the new facilities at the Letterkenny school had to be shelved.
Last September, O’Connor ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. While he played club football for Buncrana this year, he hasn’t played for Donegal since coming on as a substitute against Monaghan in the 2015 Ulster final.
[adrotate group=”53″]O’Connor has also been playing for Letterkenny Institute of Technology this term.
“He’s back training away and we’re delighted with him,” Gallagher told Donegal Sport Hub.
“He has worked very hard during his rehabilitation. He really lost two years when you think about the length of time that he has been out of action.
[adrotate group=”88″]“We are very happy with the progress he’s made. You can see the hunger he has now to make up for lost time.”
O’Connor started both the Ulster and All-Ireland finals in 2014, his first year in the panel, during Jim McGuinness’s reign as manager.
Gallagher sees O’Connor as a big part of his plans. The Donegal manager said: “Darach played a fair bit when he was taken into the squad.
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“Being out injured can be a lonely time, but his attitude has been great and we’re looking forward to having him available again next year.”
Gallagher recently announced the addition of a host of new faces in his panel and he has added Moville goalkeeper Dylan Doherty to that list in the last week.
Donegal returned to collective training last weekend.
Gallagher is readying his men for the Allianz League following confirmation that the Donegal Under-21s, under manager Declan Bonner, will compete in the Dr McKenna Cup next month.
[adrotate group=”38″]Against Sligo on Sunday, the likes of Conor Morrison, Cian Mulligan, Jason McGee, Michael Langan, Eamonn McGrath and Christy Fildara are all expected to feature.
Ciaran Thompson, Eoghan Ban Gallagher and Stephen McBrearty, who were on the senior panel last year, could also see game time against Sligo.
Termon goalkeeper Michael Boyle, who missed the bulk of 2016 because of a cruciate injury, is also ready to return to training with the county squad. Boyle has just returned from a holiday in Thailand and, while he won’t be involved this Sunday, can be expected to put in a strong claim to the number 1 shirt.
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