Mulligan follows Jordan by ending self-imposed Tyrone exile

OWEN MULLIGAN returned to training with Tyrone last night exactly a week after failing to turn up for a session.

His absence last week sparked rumours that he had left the panel but according to officials at county board level and in his club Cookstown he has been enticed to rejoin the camp.

In doing so, Mulligan has followed the example of teammate Philip Jordan, who also returned to the panel after earlier excusing himself.

Meanwhile, Tyrone’s Colm Cavanagh has earmarked Jamie Clarke as Armagh’s danger man ahead of Saturday’s third round All-Ireland qualifier in Omagh.

The Crossmaglen forward has scored six goals since making his championship debut last year.

“Jamie, in particular, has been scoring for fun and while they are by no means a one-man attack he will need to be closely watched if we are to get past them,” Cavanagh told Tyrone GAA website, teamtalkmag.com.

“Games between the two in the past have always been keenly contested and this weekend’s will be no different and we are well aware of the massive challenge that awaits us.”

Cavanagh was impressed by the manner in which Armagh recovered from their extra-time draw against Wicklow to beat them at the second time of asking in Aughrim last weekend.

“People thought that Armagh had missed the boat when they didn’t beat Wicklow in the Athletic Grounds but from what I saw of the game I felt that they were unfortunate as they conceded a couple of lucky goals.

“They showed their character when travelling to a difficult venue like Aughrim last weekend and getting a result and that will have given their confidence a massive boost.”

The winners on Saturday face a fourth round qualifier against Roscommon and Cavanagh feels that the fact both teams are still in the championship with the provincial competitions over will add to the excitement.

“It’s always a battle when you are playing against Armagh regardless of what the competition is and the fact that the losers’ season is over makes this game even more important and we have to be prepared to give it our best shot.”

Meanwhile, Kerry boss Jack O’Connor has a clean bill of health for the Kingdom’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final in Croke Park.

Injury worries surrounding captain Colm Cooper and Declan O’Sullivan have lifted while Paul Galvin has recovered from a long-term hamstring problem.

Donnchadh Walsh (shoulder) and Anthony Maher (back spasm) have responded to treatment while Tommy Griffin (tendon) has returned to full training having impressed for Dingle in the Kerry SFC at the weekend.

Tomás Ó Sé is also available having served a suspension incurred following his dismissal against Tipperary in May.