HURLING NEWS:DUBLIN CENTRE-back Ronan Fallon has proven his fitness to manager Anthony Daly ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Limerick. Fallon came through two training matches over the weekend, having survived a challenge outing against Offaly eight days ago.

Fallon, who broke a metatarsal bone in his foot in the league against Kilkenny in April, has trained for the last three weeks with Dublin but Daly has admitted he is reluctant to start the St Vincent’s powerhouse at Semple Stadium next weekend.

Daly explained: “Ronan has about three weeks’ training done but it’s been a long time since the league game against Kilkenny.

“He’s making significant progress, got through the match against Offaly and played two matches in training at the weekend fairly solidly.

“He’d get quicker faster than a lot of lads but he’ll hardly be able to start and I don’t think there is 70 minutes in him yet.”

Daly has also revealed he would have asked Oisín Gough to police Limerick dangerman Andrew O’Shaughnessy in Thurles. Cuala corner-back Gough is ruled out with a broken thumb sustained against Kilkenny in last week’s Leinster Under-21 final and Daly is mulling over a defensive reshuffle before he releases his starting 15.

Daly will finalise his team tomorrow evening before an official announcement on Friday but the manager has been left reeling by Gough’s absence.

Substitutes David Curtin and Kevin Ryan should be ready in time despite carrying thigh strains, while Ross O’Carroll is now fit.

Forward Liam Rushe is responding well to treatment after damaging his ankle last Friday night and is not in any danger of missing the Limerick tie.

Daly, meanwhile, has insisted Limerick will start as favourites to claim victory in the Semple Stadium showdown.

The former Clare captain and manager said: “Most of the Limerick fellas have All-Ireland Under-21 medals. There is serious pedigree there and they marched behind the Artane Boys’ band two years ago for an All-Ireland final.

“I don’t think their heads were in the right place for the Laois game at the weekend but they went to Wexford Park and won there by two points.

“We beat Wexford by the same margin in the Leinster championship but Limerick have to be slight favourites.”