Donegal still await Michael Murphy diagnosis 

Donegal are awaiting further medical reports to determine the extent of an injury sustained by Michael Murphy on Sunday.

The Donegal captain was forced out of the Allianz League Division 1 win over Kildare after just 21 minutes.

Murphy left the action in the company of members of the medical staff and the Glenswilly man as undergone assessment.

“We’re waiting on a full report to get a clearer picture,” Bonner told Donegal Live.

“We won’t take risks with any players. If they’re not 100 per cent, we won’t be playing them.”

Donegal have no game this weekend with their next assignment seeing them visit Killarney to take on Kerry on Sunday-week.

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While the picture is unclear regarding the precise prognosis of Murphy’s leg injury, Bonner is ‘quite hopeful’ that Jason McGee will be available for the trip to the Kingdom.

McGee had to be withdrawn in the second half of Sunday’s 2-11 to 1-9 win, but the Cloughaneely midfielder could be back next week.

Bonner is hopeful that Hugh McFadden and Daire Ó Baoill, who have yet to see game time in 2022, will be back in contention for the Kerry game. The Donegal boss says they are ‘heading in the right direction’,

Niall O’Donnell also has a chance of returning to the fold next week and Ciaran Thompson is also expected to be available.

Jamie Brennan, however, has suffered a set-back in his rehabilitation. The Bundoran forward was said to be nearly a return, but a relapse means his return date has been pushed back. Bonner estimates that it will be ‘towards the end of the League’ before he’s back in Donegal’s colours.

Donegal will train again this weekend and Bonner is glad of a break from competitive action.

“A lot of our players have played an awful lot of football lately,” Bonner said. “Between four McKenna Cup games, two League games and four Sigerson Cup matches, they’ve done a lot.

“It’s good to get the break and it goes us a chance to get some of the other players up to speed again.”

Bonner praised his team’s character in how they approached Sunday’s game.

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Donegal were briefly behind when Jimmy Hyland netted just after Murphy’s exit, but goals from Patrick McBrearty and Ryan McHugh tipped the day in their favour.

“We lost two big, physical presences in Michael and Jason,” Bonner pointed out. “We didn’t have Ciaran Thompson and Hughie McFadden so we were down a fair bit of height. The lads dug in well and there was a lot to be pleased with.

“Was it perfect? No, but it was great to get the two points and we played well in spells. We were under the cosh, but we finished strong.

“People have to realise that this is, overall, a very young team. There will be challenges and there will be days when we really need the supporters to dig in with us too.

“We’re pleased, but we know that there is work needed.”