Donegal's attacking options have been further reduced ahead of Saturday night's NFL opener against Down with the news that Mark McHugh has been ruled out with an abductor muscle injury.

As well as sitting out the Pairc Esler tie, the half forward will miss IT Sligo's Irish Daily Mail Sigerson Cup first round clash with IT Tralee in Ennis this afternoon and Kilcar's Ulster club U21FC quarter-final against St. Canice's of Derry in Belfast on Sunday. He should be available, however, for Donegal's second outing in the NFL at home to Laois on Sunday week, February 12.

Donegal boss Jim McGuinness was already planning without Michael Murphy (who recently underwent groin surgery) and Colm McFadden (back complaint) for the meeting with Down, and they are expected to be replaced in the full forward line by Stephen Griffin and Dermot 'Brick' Molloy. Tweet

Most Read Stories