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Bonner says McMenamin is 'very doubtful' for Ulster Final

Stephen McMenamin of Donegal leaves the field due to an injury during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Donegal and Armagh at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan.

Stephen McMenamin of Donegal leaves the field due to an injury during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Donegal and Armagh at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan.

By John Harrington

Donegal manager, Declan Bonner, admits it’s unlikely that defender Stephen McMenamin will be fit to play in Sunday’s Ulster SFC Final against Cavan.

The corner-back pulled up with a hamstring injury after just five minutes of Saturday’s Ulster SFC semi-final victory over Armagh and looked in some distress at the time.

“It's looking very doubtful for Stephen,” said Bonner today. “We'll give him a real opportunity but at this current time we haven't got him back onto the pitch yet. But it would be probably less than 50-50.”

Midfielder Hugh McFadden also took a knock against Armagh and was substituted, but Bonner sounds confident he’ll be able to play against Cavan.

“Again, he'll be assessed,” said Bonner. “But I think Hughie will be OK. Stephen is probably our main concern.”

If McMenamin is ruled out of the match against Cavan, then Paddy McGrath may come into the picture for Donegal.

He missed the win over Armagh with what Bonner described as a soft-tissue injury, but is due to return to training this week.

“Paddy will get back the pitch tomorrow night, so fingers crossed that he comes through the week now,” said Bonner.

More positive news on the injury front for Donegal is that Paddy McBrearty came through Saturday’s win over Armagh unscathed after coming on as a sub for his first match of the championship following his own injury woes.

“Paddy is an important member of the group. It's great to get him back on the pitch,” said Bonner.

“He missed about four weeks, with a quad injury. But he's back. Another two sessions this week will be important to him.”