Reigning Donegal champions Kilcar will be without Ryan McHugh as they begin the start of their defence of Dr Maguire.
Kilcar – who are already without their captain Patrick McBrearty – take on Killybegs at Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park on Sunday, but will do so without McHugh.
The Donegal star picked up an injury in a recent challenge game against St Vincent’s and will have to sit out this weekend’s game.
“We’re without Ryan McHugh; he won’t make this weekend,” the Kilcar manager, Barry Doherty, confirmed to Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“He should be okay for the Milford game the next weekend, but we’ll see.
“It’s a blow, but you can either moan about it or just get on with it.”
Kilcar have been drawn alongside Killybegs, Milford and Sean MacCumhaills in their group and begin in Fintra on Sunday against their old rivals.
McBrearty continues his rehabilitation following surgery on a rupture of an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, sustained in Donegal’s win over Fermanagh in the Ulster final.
McBrearty will be absent for club and county until late spring in 2019.
Doherty said: “Patrick is a massive loss. He’s a very good captain and a very good leader.
“We’ve got to try and bring different things to our game. Some players have to improve further to withstand it.”
Doherty remains confident that injury won’t derail their bid to retain Dr Maguire.
He said: “I think we’re in a good place in that we can take the loss of Patrick and compete very well.”
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