You train all year for this game and when it comes along, you’re sitting on the bench, twiddling your thumbs, straining at the leash to get into the action.  That’s the situation facing a host of players around the county this weekend, with Bellaghy worst affected by injury and suspension ahead of a bumper weekend.

By Cahair O’Kane                                                                                                                                                                                

sport@derrypost.com

Heading into the quarter-final of the Elk Senior Football Championship, the Wolfe Tones look certain to be without their county midfield pairing of Joe Diver and Fergal Doherty, with the former suspended following two dismissals in games against Castledawson, and the latter suffering a hamstring injury in last Wednesday night’s win over the same opposition.

Eoghan Brown is also a doubt with fallen arches in his feet, while Ryan McNally is suspended.

County commitments have seen Ballinderry depleted in recent league games, with Enda Muldoon ruled out for two months with a torn Achilles tendon.  Martin Harney, Ryan Scott and Shane Rocks look as though they will miss out, while Brian McGuckin and Conleith Gilligan are doubtful.

Martin Heaney is a doubt for Castledawson ahead of their game with Ballinascreen, while Paddy Henry’s participation is in doubt following the untimely death of his father during the week.

Ballinascreen will be without their honeymooning vice-captain Adie McGlade, while Philip Bradley (hand) and Dermot Scullion are doubts for Martin McConnell’s side.

Banagher will be at full-strength at Celtic Park on Saturday evening for their clash with local rivals Dungiven, who could be without Emmett McKeever, who is suffering from a quad injury.

Glenullin and Slaughtneil look as though they will be at full-strength, with Jim Kelly back in league action during the week for the Emmetts.

They will face off in the last of the four senior quarter-finals, with four Intermediate quarter-finals to be played over the weekend as well.