Allianz Football League Division Two, round six
Kildare v Donegal (Saturday, Netwatch Cullen Park, 5pm)
FORMER Donegal boss Declan Bonner believes it’s time the GAA took a serious look at the level of injuries being sustained by county teams since the introduction of the split season.
Bonner’s native county travel to Carlow today to take on bottom-of-the-table Kildare in a Division Two clash and a win will guarantee them a league final date, most likely against Armagh.
But, just five weeks out from a crunch clash with Derry in the Ulster SFC, Donegal are missing Brendan McCole, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Jason McGee, Caolan Ward, Niall O’Donnell, and Conor O’Donnell, and Bonner believes the growing number of injuries on county panels are a nationwide problem.
“The main priority was to get back to Division One and Donegal are almost there,’' said Bonner.
“Jim (McGuinness) has tried out a lot of players and they look to be in good shape. But the main worry is the level of injuries that Donegal have picked up.
“Key players are not getting game-time and the Derry game is a huge game. I am sure Jim will be trying to get the balance right over the next few weeks.
“We have Kildare and Meath left so that is two games and he will need to get some game-time into some of the lads that have been out injured.
“It is a concern that so many are still injured.”
It is not just Donegal who are affected by the severe level of injuries and Bonner firmly believes the hugely condensed split season is a factor.
“I think it needs to be looked and we have to ask the question, is the split season working?”
“Demands are much greater on the players and when the inter-county season is over they are straight into club action.
“The Derry guys, especially Maghera, have had a very busy programme.
“But Donegal, like a lot of other counties are picking up injuries. Look at the amount of players Galway have out injured currently.
“It is certainly something that would need to be looked at urgently. It has been an issue for the past number of years, and we are also seeing quite a number of serious injuries being picked up as well.
“Donegal have had key players like Patrick McBearty, Michael Langan, Niall O’Donnell out for long periods as well as Conor O’Donnell, Jason McGee and now Brendan McCole and Eoghan Ban Gallagher are out as well.
“It is not just us, though the one team who have not really suffered are Derry, who seem to have avoided all of these setbacks.”
Bonner is warning against complacency today despite facing a Kildare side yet to gain a point from five games.
“They have no points, and it would have been more difficult to win Newbridge but I would fancy Donegal to go down to Carlow and win.
“But I am sure that Jim’s mind is already on that big game against Derry in five weeks, and getting as many of the players as possible up to speed, that is the challenge.
“However he will not be experimenting as you can’t take your eye off the ball and he will not be playing anyone that is not fully fit.’'
