Athlone need Mortimer against the might of UUJ

ATHLONE IT are worried about the fitness of Trevor Mortimer for today’s home Datapac Sigerson Cup clash with University of Jordanstown.

The Mayo inter-county man is struggling with a knee injury, and with his colleague James Gill already an absentee through suspension, the odds are heavily stacked against Athlone dethroning the 2001 champions.

The home side will include Derry O’Brien and David Blake, winners of All-Ireland U21 medals with Galway last year, John O’Callaghan (Longford), Michael Comer (current Galway senior) and Fergus Wilson (Westmeath).

The defeat of Errigal Chiarán in the club championship has boosted UUJ’s chances considerably. Coach Damien Barton was planning to be without the McGinley brothers, Colm and Enda, and goalkeeper John Devine but now their availability strengthens his hand.

Jordanstown are injury free and with Derry seniors Paddy Bradley and Fergal Doherty, the Armagh pair John Tohill and Peter Loughran along with Down’s Michael Walsh all available , it hard to see them being beaten.

Dublin City University face a huge test against champions Sligo IT .

Classy centre-forward John Tierney is causing concern with a hamstring injury, but Ian Robertson returns after injury and with four Dublin seniors Paul Casey, Stephen Cluxton, Tomas Quinn and Bryan Cullen available, DCU will test the champions.

Michael Moyles is the one big worry for Sligo. He received a dead leg injury during the course of Crossmolina’s victory over Dunshaughlin last Sunday and is very doubtful. However, they are boosted by the availability of Donegal senior Kevin Cassidy who had a suspension lifted last week.

“Last year’s victory has whetted the appetite for more. It attracted players who want to play Sigerson football and has raised the profile of the college to a new level,” said team official Michael Breslin

Already through to the league final, Cassidy’s return coupled with Christy Toye (Donegal), and Mark Brehony (Sligo) should see Sligo edge a step closer to a possible double.

Dublin Institute of Technology have no injury worries but face a mammoth task against UCD at Belfield . Declan O’Mahony (Dublin), Shane McCague and Stephen Bray (both Meath) are among DIT’s key players, but it would be a big shock if UCD are beaten.

UCD are without Daithi Donegan (hamstring) and Donagh Ó h-Ainnaidh (back problem).

There is also some doubt about Stephen Lucey who picked up an injury while hurling with Limerick at the weekend.

Brendan Ó h-Ainnaidh (Wicklow), Alan Brogan, Darren Magee, Barry Cahill (Dublin), Ray Ronaghan (Monaghan) and John Hanley (Roscommon) will spearhead UCD’s challenge, which should be good enough to ensure they are in Cork for the concluding stages on March 6-8.