Muldoon on Bench

Derry boss Damien Cassidy expects to have veteran star Enda Muldoon on the bench at least for Sunday’s Championship opener against Armagh.

Cassidy revealed, “Enda was back out training last week and he played a club match last weekend. Whether Enda is ready to play 70 minutes or not, we will make that decision in the middle of next week.

“We have not had Enda. He has not been playing for us. It is a bit like Armagh playing without Ronan Clarke so we are well used to it. If Ronan is available to come on for Armagh it is a bonus and the same with Enda for us.

“Enda is a natural footballer, he is not a man-made footballer. He is a completely natural talent and there are few players around the game today that can come into a game and perform on natural ability alone. Enda Muldoon is one of those types of footballer.”

 
Mayo’s Fury

Mayo players have hit out at the GAA’s late refusal to sanction a training trip to Portugal last week, with the county board forced to cancel the trip just days prior to their departure.

“We only heard the news on Thursday and we are very disappointed to put it mildly,” Mayo star Keith Higgins told the Irish Examiner.

“Lots of other counties have been abroad on training trips this year, so there doesn’t appear to be an equal playing field.

“I’ve been away on such training trips two or three times before and I’ve found them very beneficial. When you’re away like that, you can go into things in much finer detail and hold regular meetings and have discussions between the team management and players.

“Obviously, you’re together all the time, unlike the situation at home where you’re only meeting a few times a week.”

 

GAA Shorts

MARC O Se should be fit for Kerry’s Munster Championship game with Tipperary on Sunday despite picking up an ankle injury last weekend but his brother Tomas is out with a knee problem. Aidan O’Mahony, meanwhile, could make a u-turn and return to action soon despite announcing his decision to quit last week . . .

TYRONE’S Ulster Championship hopes have been dealt a blow with the news that midfielder Aidan Cassidy will miss the opening game against Antrim on Sunday week with an ankle injury picked up in a club match over the weekend. Kyle Coney is doubtful due to a back injury . . .

DUAL star Michael Cussen is definitely out of Cork’s big Munster SHC date with Tipperary at the end of the month after scans confirmed he broke a bone in his hand during the recent NHL final defeat to Galway . . .

DENIS Glennon marked his return to the Westmeath team with an impressive showing as Pat Flanagan’s reign as manager began with a six-point win in a challenge game against Clare in Ennis . . .

HENRY Shefflin played his first hurling game for Kilkenny since last year’s All-Ireland final when they hammered Waterford by 11 points in a challenge game at Mooncoin on Sunday night . . .

ARMAGH’S Steven McDonnell and Galway’s Ger Farragher have been named as winners of the Vodafone April Player of the Month Awards in football and hurling respectively . . .

MARK McHugh, son of the legendary Martin, has been called into the Donegal squad along with fellow under-21 squad members Paddy McGrath, Kevin Mulhern and Dermot Molloy . . .

BRIAN Kavanagh, Sean McCormack and Kevin Mulligan have all returned to action with the Longford squad ahead of their Leinster SFC date with Louth on Sunday, May 23 . . .

MAYO boss John O’Mahony has recalled Billy Joe Padden to his squad for the championship campaign after the player missed the entire NFL season . . .

TIPP boss Liam Sheedy has added Brian O’Meara and Paddy Fanning to his squad ahead of the Munster SHC date with Cork on May 30 . . .

SEANIE Johnston has returned to training with the Cavan squad as they await their Ulster SFC clash with Fermanagh next month . . .

DOWN star Daniel McCartan has been banned for eight weeks and will miss the Ulster SFC clash with Donegal.