Doubts over availability of Donegal pair

By Brian Murphy

New Donegal manager Rory Gallagher has conceded that he is unsure if experienced pair Anthony Thompson and Rory Kavanagh will be available to him this year.

Veteran midfielder Kavanagh is reported to be considering his inter-county future after a grueling season which only came to an end in mid-November when his club side St Eunan's were beaten in the Ulster semi-final, while Thompson is currently working in the UK.

Kavanagh, 32, will take another few weeks to decide on his inter-county future. He made his championship debut way back in 2002 and has played 49 championship games for Donegal over 13 seasons.

Thompson, 28, has a lower profile, but has nonetheless been a vital cog in the Donegal machine in recent seasons, making 25 championship appearances, mostly at wing-back, since his debut in 2006.

Were Donegal to lose the Naomh Conaill man it would be a major blow ahead of the new campaign, but speaking after Sunday's McKenna Cup defeat to Derry in Owenbeg, Gallagher said both players will be given time to consider their futures.

"Rory has had a long club season so we decided to leave Rory off until January. He is probably the oldest member of the squad. Anthony Thompson at this time is working in the UK," Gallagher said.

"We will not be rushing any of them. We will know by mid-January. It is very clear-cut with Anthony Thompson. He is in the UK at the minute. Himself and his girlfriend are both working over there. We will just have to monitor the work situation."

Donegal face QUB at Páirc MacCumhaill next Sunday in their next McKenna Cup fixture.

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