Cassidy set to miss Tyrone’s opener

Tyrone midfielder Aidan Cassidy is losing his fight for fitness ahead of the Ulster SFC clash with Donegal on Sunday week.

Cassidy picked up an ankle injury in the closing stages of the National League final defeat to Dublin, and has been unable to train since.

“Aidan Cassidy is the worst of all and he hasn’t trained fully with the team yet, so he is top of the list,” manager Mickey Harte said last night as he reported a “mixed bag” of injuries.

Skipper and attacking ace Stephen O’Neill is back in full training after a freak ankle injury ruled him out of the league decider, and is set to lead the team at Ballybofey.

“Stevie is back training on Tuesday night, back with the full squad, which is great,” said Harte.

“It’s a mixed bag. PJ Quinn has been out with a back injury since that last game.

“Dermot Carlin has an Achilles injury which has kept him out, but he trained a good part of last night.

“Justin McMahon has been off and on with the usual niggles, but trained last night as well.”

Defender Cathal McCarron continues to cause concern due to a dead leg he picked up in a club game last Sunday. “Cathal McCarron hasn’t trained since he got a dead leg at the weekend, but I think it will not keep him out after this week.

“Apart from that, you have hamstring niggles, and things like that, but nothing serious that would count anybody else out.”

Harte added that he would be in an impossible situation if asked to pick his team now for the May 26 tie.

“There would be too many people in doubtful positions to pick tonight, but the last eight or nine days coming into a championship match can be great healers.”