Mone takes step forward in recovery

Dessie Mone could yet feature against Fermanagh

MONAGHAN defender Dessie Mone is making a late charge to be included in the squad for the county’s Ulster Championship opener with Fermanagh on May 20.

The Oriel defender has not been involved since breaking his wrist in Monaghan’s McKenna Cup clash with Derry in January but he made his club return with Clontibret last Friday night.

Mone played the full hour and impressed in the side’s 0-16 to 0-12 win over Killanny.

Although that leaves him with a three-week window to edge his way into Malachy O’Rourke’s plans, his manager is remaining cautious about his participation.

“Dessie is back in training,” O’Rourke said. “He would have played very little football at this stage though but we’re hoping over the next couple of weeks he gets a bit sharper when he gets back into full training.

“It’s just that he has missed an awful lot of football obviously in the last number of months.”

The full interview with Malachy O’Rourke is available in store today or online here.