STEPHEN MCMENAMIN is poised to make his Donegal debut on Sunday, while triple All-Star Neil McGee seems set for his first appearance of 2016.
Donegal take on St Mary’s College at O’Donnell Park in their second Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup game of the year and can take a big step towards the semi-finals of the competition with a win.
Red Hughs defender McMenamin was a member of the 2014 Donegal minor squad that reached that year’s All-Ireland MFC final and is set to be handed a start on Sunday.
McMenamin is just back from an injury having cracked a bone in his knee while playing for Red Hughs at the latter end of 2015.
McGee was unavailable for Sunday’s 1-11 to 0-11 win over Down in Ballybofey because of a chest infection, but will be a part of the panel this weekend.
Eamonn McGee stepped into the squad for the Down game following his brother’s withdrawal, but will now return to concentrate on getting up to speed for the Allianz League.
Martin McElhinney and Anthony Thompson could be back for Wednesday’s game against Fermanagh, but won’t be involved against St Mary’s.
Youngsters Tony McClenaghan, Jamie Brennan and Kieran Gillespie continue to sit out through injuries, although Gillespie has a slight chance of involvement against Fermanagh,
McClenaghan will be out for a month after picking up a grade 2 hamstring injury in training last week.
Danny Rodgers will continue in goal on Sunday. The Dungloe man had been set to start on the bench against Down, but when Mark Anthony McGinley injured a thigh muscle two minutes before the game, Rodgers had to step in.
“Mark Anthony isn’t too bad, but I don’t think he’ll be right for the weekend, although he hasn’t been ruled out for Wednesday,” Gallagher said.
“Danny kept a clean sheet and he came for a number of high balls and got something on them all.”
Gallagher will consult with his medical team to determine McGinley’s availability to deputise for Rodgers before deciding whether to bring in another goalkeeper for Sunday’s game in Letterkenny.
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