BY CHRIS MCNULTY
DONEGAL could have a whole new-look midfield pairing for their All Ireland Qualifier First Round clash with Carlow in Ballybofey on Saturday evening.
Glenswilly man Gallagher has been the big doubt for the game since picking up a hamstring injury in a recent club game and it now looks as if Ardara man Boyle could also be in danger of missing out.
Boyle, who has been in good form for his club lately, didn't play for Ardara in their big win over Kilcar yesterday and reports suggest that he too will lose a fitness battle for Saturday night. In relation to Gallagher, the former County captain didn't play for Glenswilly yesterday at St Michael's and the Donegal News has learned that the towering midfielder could still be a couple of weeks away from making a return to competitive action.
Donegal had a new-look centre-field of Kevin Cassidy and Christy Toye for a challenge game against Fermanagh on Wednesday and it looks as if John Joe Doherty and company will have two fresh faces in the number 8 and 9 jerseys on Saturday evening.
Donegal take on Luke Dempsey's Carlow at Sean MacCumhaill Park looking to make up for the disappointment of the recent Ulster Championship quarter final defeat at the hands of Antrim.
There is better news on the fitness news regarding Neil McGee, however. The Gaoth Dobhair man was taken off in the early stages of a challenge game against Fermanagh on Wednesday night last with a head injury, but he played the full hour for his club against MacCumhaills yesterday and came through unscathed.
Michael Maguire was forced off during Naomh Columba's match against Cloughaneely yesterday, but sources told the Donegal News last night that the wing-back was withdrawn as a precaution and should be okay for Saturday's game.
The Donegal management will have been heartened with reports from The Bridge where Christy Toye and Colm McFadden were on form with 1-7 between them in St Michael's win over Glenswilly, for whom Ciaran Bonner and Michael Murphy came through without any setbacks.
It is expected that manager Doherty will shake the Donegal starting XV up for Saturday night's game. Leo McLoone, Stephen Griffin and Dara Gallagher were said to have played well in Wednesday's behind-closed-doors challenge against the Erne men, which Donegal won 1-9 to 0-8.
Stephen Griffin scored the Donegal goal, while a half-back line of Frank McGlynn, Eamon McGee and Michael Maguire impressed.
The Donegal fifteen on Wednesday was: Paul Durcan; Karl Lacey, Neil McGee, Paddy McDaid; Michael Maguire, Eamon McGee, Frank McGlynn, Kevin Cassidy, Christy Toye; Ciaran Bonner, Rory Kavanagh; Stephen Griffin, Michael Murphy, David Walsh.
Donegal will train on Tuesday and Thursday of this week in Ballybofey with the team expected to be named after Tuesday's session before being released to the public on Wednesday.
There were mixed fortunes for Donegal teams in action on Saturday with the Hurlers booking a Croke Park date in the Lory Meagher Cup final and the Minors losing out in their Ulster Championship semi final.
Martin Regan's boys kicked 12 wides in a 1-10 to 1-08 defeat, but Eamon Campbell's hurlers are up against Tyrone in the Lory Meagher Cup final on July 11th following a one-point win over South Down on Saturday.
For more see the Donegal News online pdf editions
