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Tyrone moving closer to full-strength

Mickey Harte will have greater options for the clash with Donegal
Mickey Harte will have greater options for the clash with Donegal

Mickey Harte expects to have his Tyrone side back to virtually full-strength for the Ulster SFC semi-final clash with Donegal on Sunday week.

However, Harte will have to do without two of his side's most exciting young attackers for the caslh with the league champions.

Tommy McGuigan and Niall Gormley both picked up injuries in club games at the weekend.

McGuigan broke a bone in a wrist while playing for Ardboe against Galbally and Gormley suffered a broken jaw in Trillick's clash with Derrylaughan.

The pair made their debuts against Fermanagh in the first round, and scored a combined total of seven points in the Red Hands' narrow win.

Stephen O'Neill and Joe McMahon both missed the win over Fermanagh, while Owen Mulligan only made a late substitute appearance.

But O'Neill and Mulligan have fully recovered from hamstring injuries, while McMahon's shoulder problem has cleared up.

Brian McGuigan requires further surgery on a serious eye injury, while Micky McGee is also facing an operation to repair a damaged shoulder.

While the Red Hand casualty list is looking much less debilitating, the preparations are facing disruption this week with McMahon's absence from training. He is spending the week in France as part of his university course.

'It does cause some disruption as it comes at a bad time, a crucial week in the build-up,' said Harte.

And there are further worries over possible suspensions.

Gerard Cavlan and Ryan Mellon were both sent-off on straight red cards in recent club games, but are hoping that their bans will not exceed four weeks, allowing them to fulfil their county commitments.

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