ICE WAS the order of the day for the Donegal squad at Croke Park: first, in the veins and then on the limbs.
By Chris McNulty at Croke Park
After a dramatic encounter, it was no surprise that many of Donegal’s players boarded the bus with ice strapped to various parts.
Midfielders Jason McGee and Hugh McFadden were among those limping having hobbled out of the action.
“They are inside at the minute with ice packs, there are a lot of ice packs inside,” Declan Bonner, the Donegal manager said.
“I just spoke to them briefly, there are a lot of knocks and a lot of bruises but we just have to wait until the next 24 hours to see where it’s at.
“It is not ideal but it is what it is. There has always been injuries, there has always been knocks and there are a few to look at and assess everyone tomorrow morning.”
In his post-match press conference, Bonner apologised to the assembled media. He wouldn’t be taking about injuries, he said, but he did offer up the hope that Paddy McGrath and Neil McGee would ‘be available for training this week’.
McGrath and McGee sat out through injuries, in McGee’s case because of an injury sustained on Wednesday night in training, while McGrath was absent due to the knock that also prevented him from facing Meath last weekend.
Bonner said: “I would hope that Paddy and Neil will be available for training this week, but we need to see where Jason and Hughie are at.”
Also on Wednesday, Eoghan Ban Gallagher – an All-Star nominee last year who was heading for the same territory this term – suffered a broken ankle.
Bonner said: “It was very disappointing for the whole group and especially for Eoghan Ban. He’s going to be out for the season.
“The only certainty is that Eoghan Ban won’t be back. That’s a huge loss to us to be quite honest, he picked up a bad injury during the week at training and he’ll miss the rest of the season.”
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