Tyrone pair ruled out of Ulster opener

Joe McMahon and Ronan McNamee have been ruled out of Tyrone’s Ulster SFC opener against Down on Sunday week.

It was confirmed last night that neither full-back McNamee nor the versatile McMahon will feature against the Mourne men.

McMahon has not played for the Red Hands this season, having missed the entire league campaign due to a groin problem. His efforts to make a comeback with his club were set back when he picked up a calf injury.

“Joe is working hard, but this game has just come too quick for him,” said Tyrone PRO Eunan Lindsay.

“His target is the next game against Monaghan, if we make it through, or a qualifier.

“The same goes for Ronan McNamee, with his shoulder injury.”

McNamee picked up a black card in the early stages of the final NFL game against Dublin, but would have been taken off had he not been dismissed, having damaged a shoulder in the incident which led to his departure.

Tyrone also have concerns over Colm Cavanagh and Connor McAliskey. Midfielder Cavanagh is struggling with a quad muscle problem, while McAliskey picked up a knock while playing with Clonoe.

“With a bit of treatment this week and next week, they should be good to go,” said Lindsay.

There is better news on Stephen O’Neill, who is in line to make his first appearance of the season after coming through an in-house game last week, having undergone surgery on an Achilles problem.

Conor Clarke is also back in contention to play against Down in the Ulster opener having missed the last two league games with a groin strain. He came through a club league game with Omagh at the weekend without any adverse reaction.