Massive blow for Leitrim as McNulty & Prior not in Down 26-strong match day squad

Players at the launch of the Tailteann Cup | Sportsfile

placeholder image — Players at the launch of the Tailteann Cup | Sportsfile

Injured stars McNulty & Prior ruled out of Steven Poacher’s squad for Down Tailteann Cup clash on Saturday

Leitrim’s prospects of shocking Tailteann Cup favourites Down in Newry on Saturday have taken a big blow with the news that Barry McNulty, Tom Prior and Cillian McGloin all ruled out of Steven Poacher’s 26 strong match day squad for the clash in Pairc Esler due to injury.

The news is a major blow for Leitrim ahead of the round 1 clash with Poacher’s native Down with Cillian McGloin also ruled out of the match day squad due to injury. The absence of the three leaves Leitrim without any stand-by players.

The Observer understands that McNulty sustained a foot injury early in the Connacht Senior Semi-Final defeat at the hands of Galway and will be out of action for some time but it is hoped that the inspirational Glencar Manorhamilton clubman could be back later in the competition, depending on Leitrim’s progress.

Unfortunately, the news for Tom Prior is not so positive as the Observer has learned that a recurrence of the injury that blighted the Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins clubman’s League campaign means his inter-county season is over for this year.

McGloin had returned to the starting line-up against Sligo and Galway after suffering an injury in the first half of the final Allianz NFL Division 4 clash with Carlow in March with the Melvin Gaels man cursed with injury woes over the past number of years.

LEITRIM TO FACE CARLOW OR OFFALY IN SECOND ROUND OF TAILTEANN CUP

Saturday’s team means a first Senior Championship start for Fenagh St Caillins’ Colm McLoughlin who comes into the team at midfield while Eanna McNamara of Aughavas also returns to the starting line-up in defence. The third change sees Paul Honeyman, who came off the bench against both Sligo and Galway, start in the half-forward line.

Six Fenagh St Caillins players make the starting line-up with three each from St Mary’s Kiltoghert and Mohill with one each from Aughavas, Annaduff and Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins. In the 26 strong squad, Allen Gaels, Drumreilly, Glencar Manorhamilton, Aughawillan and Melvin Gaels are also represented.