By Michael McMullan

DECLAN Bonner looks like he will be planning without Michael Murphy for today’s trip to Killarney to face high-flying Kerry.

The Donegal colossus limped out of their win over Kildare, a game that also saw Jason McGee forced off with a ‘dead leg’, but the Cloughaneely man is expected to be available for selection.

Stephen McMenamin made his first appearance of the season, coming on late in the game for Odhran McFadden Ferry.

Hugh McFadden and Dáire Ó Baoill could be in contention for a first outing of the year.

Donegal looked to be on their way to victory over Mayo, only for Rob Hennelly’s late equaliser on a day when Murphy and Michael Langan kicked four point each.

Murphy and Ryan McHugh each found the net in a 2-11 to 1-9 win over Kildare.

In the absence of the Glenswilly ace, Patrick McBrearty – who along with Tony McClenaghan has started all five games to date – must assume the role of leader in attack.

At the other end of the field Neil McGee is still on his way back, but Brendan McCole has been a consistent performer and has made the number three jersey his own.

Kerry are also unbeaten so far. Killian Spillane’s scrambled goal helped them to a draw in a tough encounter with Kildare in Newbridge and Jack O’Connor’s side were emphatic winners over Dublin under the Saturday night lights in Tralee.

It’s 10 years since Donegal beat Kerry in league or championship, with their 1-12 to 1-10 quarter-final win helping Jim McGuinness steer them on their way to lifting Sam. McBrearty is the only player from that game that will feature this weekend.

Kerry have won the last five league meetings between the sides, with the 2019 Super 8s’ game ended level (1-20 each) helped by a combined 1-12 total from Murphy and McBrearty.