DERRY minor manager Martin Boyle says that this weekend’s All-Irleland Minor Football Championship semi-final against Meath is a very difficult one for his team.

“I am very worried about Meath,” Boyle said.

“This Meath team have been heavily touted. Way back last year there was a lot of chat about this Meath team. They are physically huge and have a number of quality players.”

Eoghan Frayne, their captain at full -forward, is one player that Boyle picked out as being a danger. The problem with that is that Derry’s first choice full-back Sean Deighan did his cruciate and has not played this year. He would have been the first choice to take on Frayne.

“Sean would have been a brilliant match up. But we will have to go back to the drawing board to try and get something figured out to match him. It is a formidable challenge but it is one that the lads are looking forward to.”

A few other key players are touch and go for this weekend’s semi-final.

Calum Downey hurt his ankle in the Ulster final against Monaghan, and Jody McDermott is carrying a knee injury. Mark Doherty is also sidelined.

Boyle said: “They are just injuries that if you had two weeks then you would be confident that they would be back and available. In one week we just have to see how they react in the coming days.”

Lachlan Murray was on course to miss the All-Ireland semi-final against Meath after he was sent off against Monaghan. However, his suspension was overturned.

Boyle said the incident was an unfair reflection on a player who had scored 0-4 in the final.

“His performance on Friday night was something that we had been waiting on. We felt that he had lacked confidence. He doesn’t know how good he is and it was a performance that we were trying to pull out of him.

“Every time he plays he shows glimpses of his capabilities. We think he can play senior county football for Derry. No doubt. That was the pleasing thing for Friday night for him. He showed his class.

“It was unfortunate about the red card as it left us hanging on. He was devastated about it. He is a quiet cub from Desertmartin. He sat at the front of the bus and didn’t feel like he could get involved in the celebrations. I watched the incident and it was completely innocuous. I question how a decision like that could be made when there was no certainty.”

The decision to suspend him is overturned now and Lachlann can do his bit to help Derry reach the All-Ireland final.

RESCINDED… Lachlan Murray has been cleared to play for Derry against Meath