Monaghan midfielder Owen Lennon feared that a long-running ankle problem would end his intercounty career.

The 2013 Ulster SFC winning captain sustained the injury during last year's Division Two final win over Donegal at Croke Park and only returned to the Farney County's starting XV against Fermanagh last weekend. Reflecting on his 14-month lay-off, the 34-year-old Latton clubman told The Irish Daily Mirror:

"It was disappointing last year just watching the Ulster final and not having a chance to play. I got back training three months ago and I've had a few club matches under my belt.

"It was great to get the 40 or so minutes that I got out there but now that I'm back I want to have an impact. We have a lot of work to do and I just want to be part of it.

"Of course you have self doubts about whether it'll happen when you pick up niggling injuries and you're trying so hard to recover. The hardest thing is the unknown.

"If it was the cruciate you'd know you'd be back in six or eight months but with my ankle I didn't know how long I'd be out for. That carried on for nearly a year. I suppose I haven't too long left but it's brilliant to be back in the Ulster final."

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