FORMER Louth star John Donaldson has returned to the Armagh senior panel – but he will not be involved in the Championship opener against Donegal.
The 27-year-old, who has transferred to Crossmaglen Rangers, is due to get married at the end of this month, a commitment which will rule him out for selection for the first round game on June 6.
Cullyhanna native Donaldson has returned to the Orchard County after a sojourn lasting almost five years with Stabannon Parnells and the Louth county side. Before his change of club and county in 1994, Donaldson had appeared for the Armagh seniors while with Cullyhanna St Patrick’s.
On Tuesday night he bridged that half-decade gap, coming into the Armagh defence as a substitute in a challenge match with Meath in Navan, scoring a point as the visitors succumbed 0-8 to 1-14.
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JUSTIN Gilheaney is out of Fermanagh’s Ulster Championship campaign and is unlikely to play football again until the New Year.
The Derrylin half-back broke a collar bone in two places in a challenge match against Sligo and is a big loss to Pat King’s championship plans for the opening round match against Monaghan on May 30.
Gilheaney was initially told his shoulder was badly bruised when he received X-rays a couple of weeks ago, but subsequent X-rays by Dr Pat O’Neill in Dublin revealed a much more serious injury.
“Justin broke his collar bone in the league last November against Sligo, and this time it broke in the old spot as well as in another place,” said King.
“He took a knock against Sligo a couple of weeks ago but didn’t think it was too bad and played the following day for his club.
“Maybe he came back too soon from the previous injury, but either way it will probably rule him out for the rest of the year.”
With Gilheaney out and Barry King living in England, King has recalled Lisnaskea man Tony Collins back into the panel.
Collins is attending university near London and hasn’t played for Fermanagh since last year’s opening round defeat to Cavan in Breffni Park.
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THE Ward School of Judo, Belfast enjoyed a successful competition in the Northern Ireland Judo Championships held in Belfast at the weekend.
Competing against rivals from Scotland, England, and Wales, the fighters from the local outfit collected seven medals, including four golds.
Michael McGovern, a pupil at St John the Baptist School, fought brilliantly to take gold at 28 kilos.
In the under 27 kilos category Paula Carlin grabbed gold, with silver for Lisa Kearney and bronze for Clair Duffy in the under 33 kilos.
In the under 36 kilos section gold went to Jennifer Rea and bronze to Lindsay McKee, while Orla Carlin also took gold in the under 40 kilos.
