Lacey return provides ‘huge lift’ to McGuinness

Karl Lacey will make his first championship start of the season in Sunday’s Ulster final against Monaghan in Clones.

The 2012 Footballer of the Year takes Declan Walsh’s place having recovered from knee cartilage surgery last month, while Neil Gallagher misses out because of knee ligament problems, a second provincial decider absence for the Glenswilly man.

“It’s a huge lift to us,” Jim McGuinness said. “Karl has been working very hard to get his fitness back with the strength and conditioning coaches in Dublin and he has made great strides. It’s great to have Karl back.”