Four players are in doubt for championship opener.
It’s a case of good news and bad for Tyrone fans as they await the news of several players fitness for their upcoming championship tie against Fermanagh on April 16th.
The bad news is that Peter Harte has underwent appendix surgery which puts him in doubt for the opening game, a real blow considering he has been one of the stand out performers for the county during the league.
However, Tyrone joint manager Feargal Logan is still optimistic that he could pass the upcoming fitness test.
“Peter is okay. We’re going to have to see where he medically is on that, but he did have his appendix removed last week,” Logan told BBC Sport.
The good news is that Brian Kennedy looks set to be available for the game after recovering from a leg injury.
The All-Star wasn’t available for their last league game against Kerry in Killarney, where they managed to nick the win and secure their place in Division One for next season.
“Brian had a minor enough niggle and he was unlucky in that he had a gash and took a few stitches, which was an unlucky injury. But we hope that Brian will be on full form.”
Mattie Donnelly however, is a concern for the Red Hand county as the former captain has missed the majority of the league campaign through injury and is currently dealing with a hamstring issue.
“Mattie has a hamstring injury and he’s working hard as you would expect. You know his style, he’s rehab, rehab, rehab, and he’s working as hard as he can to get everything sorted out,” said Logan.
The best news for the Ulster reigning champions, is that Ardboe’s Michael O’Neill, a player who played an important role for Tyrone in last year’s All-Ireland success, is now back in the mix.
The versatile defender has missed the entirety of the league campaign, but looks set to return just in time for championship action.
“Michael is very close. He’s back up and at it, full training, full playing, so it’s a matter of competition for places, but he’s back,” added Logan.
“It’s one of these general abdominal, pelvic things that happen to players when they train hard.
