By Michael McMullan

DERRY’S Ciaran McFaul is back in full training and in line for a return for Saturday’s visit of Galway.

The Glen man had missed much of the club’s season but played in the Oakleafers’ opening day defeat to Tyrone.

Manager Paddy Tally said McFaul “wasn’t right” in the days ahead of the Kerry game and wasn’t listed in the matchday squad.

“Ciaran’s good,” Tally said, “Ciaran’s back full training again so he should be back in the frame for the Galway game.

“He just wasn’t right for the last game, on the Thursday or Friday before the match. He just didn’t have enough work done.

“The extra weeks have been good for him and we’re happier this week that he’s ready to go.”

It would be McFaul’s 105th Derry appearance at senior level but Tally will be without Donncha Gilmore.

The All-Ireland minor winner picked up a shoulder injury in the first half of UCD’s Sigerson Cup semi-final win over TU Dublin and missed this week’s decider.

Gilmore, who had suffered a dislocated shoulder on u-20 duty against Cavan three years ago, has been one of the newcomers at senior level in recent seasons.

“It’s still early, it only happened last week so we’re just waiting to see,” Tally said. “He’s getting scanned but we’ll have to see his consultant and we’ll see where things are after that.”

It’s another injury to defender after the news of Gareth McKinless being ruled out for the rest of the season with ACL injury.

“It’s tough, he has been a big player for Derry these last few years,” Tally said of McKiness.

“It’s a long road back, but, knowing Gareth, he’ll put his head down and work at it and get himself back.”

Tally had called Ballinderry’s Niall O’Donnell into the squad but a grade 3C hamstring tear ended his club season after needing surgery in London ahead of their final with Crossmolina.

O’Donnell, one of nine players from Derry’s 2020 All-Ireland minor winning team in the senior squad, will now face time on the sidelines.

While the injury to McKinless, on top of the retirement of another All-Star defender, Chrissy McKaigue, have left Derry short on defensive experience, there is better news elsewhere.

Tally said Paudi McGrogan is back in full training and will in consideration for a place before the end of the league.

McGrogan, an ever present under Rory Gallagher, went off injured early in the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final with a Kerry team coached by Tally.

Conor McCluskey and Niall Loughlin, both having gone under the knife for groin injuries, are on their way back.

“Those boys are going really well,” Tally said. “Paudi McGrogan has got himself back now and he’s full training and getting at it.

“He should be pushing back into a matchday squad soon. Niall and Conor, we’re looking, hopefully within the next few weeks, then get back to full training as well. It’s a gradual process.

“You just have to be patient with injuries, especially long-term injuries that require surgery.

“There is a comeback programme, a return to play programme. I have to get them ready at the right time.”