TYRONE are planning for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Kerry without star defender Michael McKernan.
Assistant coach Colm McCullagh revealed time is “running out” for the Coalisland ace to recover from the shoulder injury he sustained against Cavan three weeks ago.
The Red Hand County had hoped that McKernan would be back if they made it past Dublin in the quarter-finals.
The team kept their end of the bargain, beating the Dubs by seven points.
However McCullagh has all but dashed those hopes just a few days out from the last-four showdown in Croke Park.
He said: “Michael is improving, he is coming on, but this weekend will be too soon for him.
“He picked up a fairly serious enough shoulder injury early on against Cavan and it’s no-contact stuff for him.
“Unless there is a major improvement in the next couple of days it is looking very unlikely.”
While Tyrone’s form has been patchy, McKernan has been a consistent performers.
As well as looking after his defensive duties, he has used the new rules to his advantage — kicking four two-pointers in the NFL and one in the SFC.
He also chipped in with league goals against Derry and Dublin, though Tyrone were still relegated to Division 2.
But he shipped a heavy knock against Cavan and left the field in Brewster Park in real distress.
With huge talents Seán O’Shea and the Clifford brothers, David and Paudie, among those Tyrone need to keep tabs on this weekend, his absence will be a blow.
McCullagh added: “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.
“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.”
Killyclogher forward Mark ‘Sparky’ Bradley has declared his fitness for the Kerry clash having sat out the last two games.
Bradley said: “I’ve had a few niggles throughout the year with my calves, it’s very unpredictable.
“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, I’m training away and hoping to be selected.”
