Cassidy bound for US after donegal axe

Axed defender Kevin Cassidy will have no part to play in Donegal's Ulster and All-Ireland SFC campaigns after accepting an invitation to play club football in America.

The Gweedore clubman, who won an All-Star award in 2002, is to spend the summer Stateside - with the east coast the rumoured destination. Cassidy and his club mate Eamon McGee were both banished from the Donegal panel for a breach of discipline before the drawn NFL Division Two final against Louth. The pair missed that game and last Sunday's replay, which Donegal lost 1-09 to 1-12.

Donegal boss Brian McIver gave his players the week off training ahead of their Ulster SFC quarter-final against either Cavan or Down on June 4. A managerial meeting, to be held this weekend, might have seen both Cassidy and McGee reinstated, but now only the latter is eyeing up a return.

The US offer is a timely one for Cassidy who is currently having a house built in Donegal.

Meanwhile, McIver's charges will play a final challenge match next Saturday (May 13) before the championship begins in earnest. Antrim are to provide the opposition on the new pitch at the Carndonagh club.