Clerkin set to appeal ban

MONAGHAN midfielder Dick Clerkin’s availability for Sunday’s NFL opener against Cork in Scotstown remains uncertain as he fights to overturn a one-month ban picked up in the Dr McKenna Cup.

Clerkin was banned after being shown a red card in Monaghan’s match against Fermanagh two weeks ago but manager Seamus McEnaney revealed Clerkin would request a personal hearing in a bid to line out on Sunday. A decision will be made in the next few days.

Fellow midfielder Eoin Lennon is already out while in defence John Paul Mone is out after undergoing a knee operation and his brother Dessie a doubt with a groin strain. In attack Stephen Gollogly is likely to be sidelined on Sunday with a calf strain but Brendan McKenna could come into the frame after Emyvale’s run in the All-Ireland Club JFC came to an end at the semi-final stage last Sunday. McEnaney is also set to field a new keeper with Ballybay’s Sean Gorman set to start after playing throughout the Dr McKenna Cup.