McGuinness playing catch-up

Jim McGuinness is working on the assumption that he will have to do without a number of his All-Ireland winners for a second successive week when they welcome Down to Ballybofey in five days’ time.

Neil Gallagher, who played a key role from midfield last September, sat out the defeat by Kildare two days ago, as did Christy Toye and David Walsh who contributed off the bench against Mayo.

Defender Frank McGlynn, a late omission from the team that played in Croke Park last weekend, may well make an appearance although it remains to be seen how serious the hamstring injury suffered by Colm McFadden proves to be and Karl Lacey is unavailable long-term.