Rory Gallagher gives Donegal sextet an extended break

SIX OF DONEGAL’S experienced players will not feature in the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup – but will return for the Allianz League campaign.

Eamon McGee, Karl Lacey, Neil Gallagher, Christy Toye, Colm McFadden and David Walsh have all been granted extended breaks by the Donegal manager, Rory Gallagher.

“They haven’t returned to doing pitch work but, while they aren’t in the reckoning for the McKenna Cup, they’ll be back for the League,” the Donegal boss told Donegal Sport Hub.

Walsh requires surgery on a troublesome toe injury and could be out until after the break in the League.

Martin McElhinney and Anthony Thompson won’t be available for Sunday’s Dr McKenna Cup opener against Down at Sean MacCumhaill Park (throw-in 2pm), but will make appearances at some stage of the competition.

Patrick McBrearty and Ryan McHugh will line out for Ulster University Jordanstown in the McKenna Cup while Caolan McGonagle is set to play for DCU in the O’Byrne Cup.

McGonagle is one of the 12 new players drafted into the panel by Gallagher and another from that dozen, St Eunan’s man Rory Carr, must wait for his Donegal senior debut.

Carr suffered a dislocated shoulder during his club’s Ulster Club Minor Football Tournament semi-final win over Enniskillen Gaels on Sunday.

“Rory would definitely have made his debut in the McKenna Cup,” Gallagher said. “He has made a great impression since coming in and has played a couple of challenge games. Short-term, he’ll miss two big games for his club (the Ulster Minor final and the Donegal Under-21 Championship final), which are more important.

“He’ll get an MRI done on it. There’s nothing broken but we’re optimistic that he won’t be out for too long.”