Ciaran Thompson to miss Kildare clash

Ciaran Thompson has been ruled out of of Sunday’s Allianz League Division One game against Kildare (Sean MacCumhaill Park, 2pm).

Thompson had to be replaced after only ten minutes of the weekend’s 0-11 apiece draw with Mayo in Sligo.

The Naomh Conaill man suffered what has been described as a ‘slight strain’. After pulling up, he was immediately replaced by Jason McGee.

Donegal manager Declan Bonner says the injury is ‘nothing major’ and expects Thompson to be back in the reckoning for the trip to Kerry in two weeks’ time.

Caolan Ward had to come off on Sunday and the St Eunan’s player sat out Letterkenny Institute of Technology’s Sigerson Cup quarter-final defeat by NUIG on Tuesday.

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“Caolan came off with a knock and we’ll monitor him between now and the weekend,” Bonner told Donegal Live.

“We’ll give Caolan an opportunity to get ready so we’ll see if it clears up. It’s touch and go for him at the moment.”

Bonner hopes that Jamie Brennan, who was unable to tog out against Mayo, will be able to take up a post in the matchday squad this weekend.

Long-term absentees Hugh McFadden, Daire Ó Baoill, Stephen McMenamin and Oisin Gallen remain out of contention but the Kerry game is appearing ever more realistic.

“It’s just about getting them up to speed,” Bonner said. “We have to watch the training loads on the players. While we want them up to speed, it’s still a balancing act with what they’re doing. We’re hopefully that we’ll have three or four more ready for the Kerry game.”

On Sunday, Donegal saw a five-point lead eroded by Mayo. Goalkeeper Rob Hennelly, with the game’s penultimate kick, fired over a free to earn a share of the spoils.

Patrick McBrearty was denied by Hennelly from a 52nd minute penalty and Mayo played the closing chapter with 14 men after Stephen Coen was red carded.

“We were disappointed not to get two points, but I felt that we played well for long spells,” Bonner said.

“We’re very happy with a lot of it. We thought we had done enough, but the positives from Sunday outweigh the negatives.

“Every game takes on a life of its own and there are games that you feel that you should have won. Sunday was one of those. We were very happy with a lot of the play for about 50 or 55 minutes of the game. We missed the penalty when we feel that we could have kicked on.

“We just have to dust down and get ready for the next challenge. We’re striving to improve our levels all of the time.”

Kildare hit the final four points on Sunday to secure a draw against Kerry.

Bonner believes the Lilywhites will present a stern test.

“They went toe-to-toe with Kerry and we’re under no illusions,” the Donegal boss said. “Kildare put on a very good show and they stood up against a fancied Kerry.

“I said before that this is the most competitive Division 1 that there has been. Three of the games last Sunday were draws and it’ll continue to be tight, I think.”

Armagh, who Donegal will also face in an Ulster SFC quarter-final in April, provided an eye-catching showing at Croke Park on Saturday night. The Orchard defeated Dublin 2-15 to 1-13 and Bonner was a particularly interested viewer.

“Building for the Championship, ultimately, is our priority,” he said. “Of course, we want to stay in Division One. We want to take the learnings, improve every week and be ready for Armagh. They were very impressive against Dublin, no doubt.

“We will be playing on seven out of nine weeks so it’ll test us a lot and we’re going to need every bit of a large squad.”