Tyrone coach Colm McCullagh said that “time is running out” for defender Michael McKernan in his battle to be fit for Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final game against Kerry.
McKernan was substituted after picking up a should problem against Cavan three weeks ago.
It had been anticipated that if Tyrone could beat Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final, it would give McKernan a chance to feature in a last four tie.
However, McCullagh has dashed Tyrone fans’ hopes just a few days out from their semi-final showdown against the Kingdom in Croke Park.
“Michael is improving, he is coming on, but this weekend will be too soon for him,” he said.
“Unless there is a major improvement in the next couple of days it is looking very unlikely.
“He picked up a fairly serious enough shoulder injury early on against Cavan and it’s no contact stuff for him at the minute.”
Tyrone have been patchy all season mixing the good with the poor, but McKernan has been one of their most consistent performers all year.
A notable man-marker, he has also enjoyed the new rules and kicked a string of monster two-pointers for the Red Hands.
However, his bright season came to an abrupt end when he shipped a heavy knock against Cavan and left the field in Brewster Park in real distress.
With quality players like David and Paudie Clifford as well as Sean O’Shea on the opposing team on this weekend, McKernan’s absence will be a real blow.
“Michael is trying his best to make it work for him, he is doing all he can and the medical team are doing all they can,” added McCullagh.
“It’s just the time could be running out for him possibly.
“We have a clean bill of health otherwise, a few wee niggles but nothing serious.”
Meanwhile, Mark Bradley has declared himself fit to feature having sat out the last two games.
“I’ve had a few niggles throughout the year with my calves, it’s very unpredictable,” he said.
“You could be doing a warm-up and you just feel it. It’s not like sprinting or like with your hamstring where you know you’re going to hurt it, but it’s all good at the minute, I’m training away.”
