DONEGAL manager Declan Bonner is hopeful that Kieran Gillespie can play some part in the 2019 Championship.
Gillespie tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament last week while playing for Gaoth Dobhair in their Ulster quarter-final win over Cargin, and he will miss the remainder of his club’s season.
The 22-year-old didn’t play for Donegal in the 2018 campaign as he recovered from a hip injury, and he now faces another long spell on the sidelines.
Gillespie will definitely miss the Dr McKenna Cup and the National Football League, but Bonner hopes he will be able to line out in the green and gold in the championship next season.
“It’s a huge blow to Gaoth Dobhair and Donegal, but more than anything, you’d have to feel for Kieran,” said Bonner.
“I was talking to him during the week, and the recovery process has already started, and he’s hoping to get back on the field of play as quickly as he can.
“There’s a lot of work going on with ACL injuries and you can get back that little bit quicker now.
“He will have the best medical treatment available with Dr Kevin Moran and Cathal Ellis.
“Hopefully we can have him back at some stage in the summer of 2019. You’ve got to set targets, and that’s a realistic one for him.
“He’s a positive young lad. He’ll do the right things and will come back as strong as ever.”