Blow as Clarke could be US-bound for summer

Cavan seniors’ preparations for the Ulster quarter-final against Armagh on June 8 could yet suffer a blow after it emerged that Killian Clarke is considering travelling to America for the summer.
The three-time Ulster U21 medallist met with Cavan manager Terry Hyland yesterday afternoon. It is understood that Clarke is considering travelling to Boston, where he may line out with the Wolfe Tones club.
A source, however, stated that “nothing is set in stone”. The loss of the Shercock man would be a blow to Cavan’s plans but another source stated that management remain confident that Clarke - a student in University of Ulster, Jordanstown – will throw in his lot with the county for the summer.
At the time of going to print, nothing had been confirmed.
The versatile 21-year-old earned an All-Star nomination last season and has emerged as a key member of Hyland’s senior panel. He came off the bench for the seniors in their NFL Division 3 final defeat to Roscommon, when he replaced Killian Brady in the first half.
In all, 15 footballers have transferred from Cavan to clubs outside the county in then last six weeks, with four of those going to clubs in the UK, including former Cavan Gaels and county underage footballer Gearoid Collins, who has transferred to Fulham Irish, and seven to American clubs.
Cavan’s preparations have also not been helped by an injury to key midfielder Gearoid McKiernan. The towering Swanlinbar man has not played for his club since the away win over Arva on April 30 and has undertaken two scans on a groin injury.
While McKiernan – who missed last year’s championship due to a cruciate ligament injury – is able to run, his training has been heavily curtailed and he did not feature in Cavan’s recent challenge match win over Galway in Crubany.