UUJ manager Adrian McGuckin will be allowing four of his players to turn out for their counties in the Dr McKenna Cup. The three universities competing in Ulster's pre-season football competition - UUJ, Queen's and St. Mary's - have first call on players, but McGuckin has agreed to release Donal Morgan (Monaghan), Liam Hinphey (Derry), Sean O'Neill and Ronan McNabb (both Tyrone) to their respective county sides, taking the view that some give and take could prove advantageous in the long run. "Sometimes it is of benefit further down the line to play for your county in the McKenna Cup," he told the Irish News. "In fairness, it hasn't been too much of a problem over the last few years and if you can come to some sort of an agreement with the county managers, it can work out well for everyone." Although he will unavailable for UUJ in January, McGuckin will be relieved to see Derry dual star Hinphey back in action after he missed their recent successful Ryan Cup campaign through injury. "Liam had his first training session on Thursday, so I am just crossing my fingers that he isn't sore from it. "Conor McManus broke his hand while Clontibret were in Ulster, but we are hoping to have him back in mid-January. He may play all the games and we are hoping to have him for at least one. Dessie Mone played through Clontibret's campaign with a stomach muscle injury, and we are looking to have him back in time as well. "Timmy Hanna is another boy on the way back and Colm Cavanagh is doing his own rehab after ankle surgery, hopefully in the New Year he will be able to take part in some on-field training because he isn't fit for it just yet." Tweet

Most Read Stories