Donnellan a doubt for final

Salthill-Knocknacarra manager Eoin O'Donnellan confirmed yesterday that Michael Donnellan is a doubt for Friday's All-Ireland…

Salthill-Knocknacarra manager Eoin O'Donnellan confirmed yesterday that Michael Donnellan is a doubt for Friday's All-Ireland club football final against St Gall's.

Donnellan suffered a groin injury in a challenge match last Saturday and will undergo a fitness test tomorrow.

Full forward John Boylan will also be put through his paces, but he is not, as was initially feared, suffering from a stress fracture of the leg.

Barry Dooney is also expected to return from suspension.

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"John Boylan is off the crutches," O'Donnellan said. "I'm going over to see Michael today but at present it is 50-50 whether he will play.

"He aggravated a previous injury around the groin area, so we won't know for certain until Thursday, when we'll also announce the team."

St Gall's manager John Rafferty is also holding out for positive news regarding Andrew McLean (hamstring) and goalkeeper Paddy Murray (broken toe).

If Murray fails to recover, former Fermanagh goalkeeper Ronan Gallagher will deputise.

Ciarán McDonald has finally returned to the Mayo football panel. Last year's captain had been a notable absentee this season but he took part in training last night at Ballyvary for the first time since Mickey Moran became manager.

Dublin manager Paul Caffrey has selected a team nearing championship strength for Sunday's match against Fermanagh in Enniskillen.

Caffrey has recalled Ciarán Whelan and Alan Brogan to the starting 15.

Bryan Cullen, the other suspended player from the opening league match against Tyrone, came straight back into the team for last week's defeat in Cork.

Brogan and Cullen are named in the half-forward line, while Whelan and Darren Magee renew the midfield partnership of 2004.

DUBLIN (SF v Fermanagh): S Cluxton; P Griffin, B Cahill, D Henry; P Casey, C Goggins, P Andrews; D Magee, C Whelan; D Lally, A Brogan, B Cullen; D O'Callaghan, C Keaney, T Quinn.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent