Mulligan to train with Tyrone tonight

Experienced forward Owen Mulligan is set to rejoin the Tyrone panel for training tonight, just days after quitting the set-up.

Reports late last week alleged that the three-time All-Ireland winner was frustrated by his lack of game-time in recent Championship matches.

Mulligan missed training last Tuesday and Thursday, adding to speculation that he was stepping away from the inter-county scene.

He had replaced Martin Penrose in the second half of both wins over Monaghan and Longford, while he was a late inclusion in the team for the Ulster SFC semi-final against Donegal.

That was his longest runout - he scored a single point in the opening 51 minutes of the defeat to Donegal and was called ashore.

The 30-year-old made five starts for the Red Hands during this year's Allianz Football League, but failed to impress and scored just two points.

Penrose and Mark Donnelly, a Championship debutant this summer, have both seen more action so far this summer, with Mulligan the player to be squeezed out.

But Teamtalk magazine, the Tyrone GAA publications company, is now reporting that the former All-Star has decided to link up again with the Red Hands squad.

Following some lobbying from his own club, Cookstown, and a meeting with Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, Mulligan will resume training ahead of Saturday's All-Ireland SFC third round qualifier against Armagh.

Cookstown club official Adrian Gilmore told Teamtalkmag.com: "Owen was disappointed not to be involved a wee bit more with the Tyrone team at the minute.

"He sees the Cookstown team not going well in his absence and he feels that he has a role to play there. But the Cookstown boys have been encouraging Owen to get back to county training and we're happy that he's decided to return.

"Mickey Harte will still believe that Owen has a contribution to make even if that's from the bench. I think Owen knows that himself, but it won't stop him pushing hard for a starting spot."