TYRONE BOSS MICKEY Harte must plan without goalkeeper Niall Morgan for the rest of the season after he suffered a serious knee injury in a club game over the weekend.
The GAA’s official website reports that the Edendork player Morgan sustained knee ligament damage in a club match against Derrytresk on Sunday and was stretchered off.
He is now set to be sidelined for a four-month period and will undergo surgery today at the Ulster Independent Clinic in Belfast.
Morgan’s absence is a major blow after he made a superb impact with his freetaking in his debut league campaign.
The 21 year-old struck 0-18 during Tyrone’s route to the Division 1 decider and hit 0-5 in that league final against Dublin in Croke Park in April.
However he endured a more difficult time in front of the posts in Tyrone’s Ulster championship defeat against Donegal last month in Ballybofey.
Tyrone are now likely to select Pascal McConnell between the posts for their first round qualifier against Offaly on Saturday week in Tullamore and there have been suggestions that they may now turn to John Devine, who announced his retirement in March, as goalkeeping cover.
Tyrone must also plan without defender PJ Quinn, who started against Donegal, after he has left the panel while Joe McMahon is doubtful after picking up an ankle injury while in action for his club Omagh at the weekend.