BRIAN McGUIGAN has returned to the Tyrone panel despite being one of five All-Ireland winners to retire last year. The 32-year-old returned to training in Clogher last night, fuelling speculation Philip Jordan, Enda McGinley and Kevin Hughes may also rejoin the panel.
Brian Dooher, at 36, is not expected to return but has become part of Mickey Harte’s backroom team. McGuigan’s return is due to season-ending injuries sustained by four-time All Star Seán Cavanagh, McGuigan’s brother Tommy, Kyle Coney and Ronan O’Neill, all of whom are forwards.
Meanwhile, Dublin must plan without Alan McCrabbe for their opening salvo in the Leinster hurling championship against Laois as the All Star midfielder re-injured his shoulder at training last Tuesday night. Ross O’Carroll (thigh/hip) and Paul Schutte are also unavailable for tomorrow’s trip to O’Connor Park in Tullamore, as is long-term absentee Martin Quilty.
Otherwise, and despite relegation to Division One B in April, manager Anthony Daly is happy with his lot at present. “It’s the strongest team we’ve been able to pick to date, even with the loss of Crabber, Schutte, Quilty and Ross,” said Daly. “We’ll be able to draw from a very strong bench to ensure others get a run out.”
The Dublin panel has been energised of late by the return of three hugely influential hurlers in Stephen Hiney, Tomás Brady and Conal Keaney. All three are fully rehabilitated from cruciate ligament damage.
“It’s the leadership qualities of the three of them, they are captaincy type figures,” Daly continued. “They stayed involved when injured, rode on the bus to matches and the like but might not have been as confidant to speak as they were not playing. But they are back in the thick of it now.
“I saw it as a long shot to have all three back at the same time. They don’t have the luxury of a few league games under their belts but they will get time against Laois.
“Conal has played two and a half matches now, and has been improving every night. His was probably the toughest injury to come back from, mentally I mean, considering he came off a bike but Conal will be Conal – he and the other lads left no stone unturned in getting right for June.”
Daly also mentioned the boost of having fit and available forwards David Treacy and David O’Callaghan once again. “If we get over this challenge of Laois, and we are not looking further, I could be facing the dream scenario for a manager as Crabber, Ross, Ryan O’Dwyer and Paul Schutte should all be back in contention.”
O’Dwyer is suspended but will be available for a semi-final against Kilkenny on June 23rd.
Peter Canavan’s first Fermanagh championship team will be without the injured Ryan McCluskey but Séamus Quigley will start at full forward despite concerns he might be leaving the panel.
The Wexford football side to face Longford at Croke Park on Sunday shows two changes from the line-up that lost to the same opposition in the Division Three final. Shane Roche comes in at centre forward instead of PJ Banville and Rory Quinlivan replaces Andrew Shore in midfield.
WESTMEATH (SHC v Galway):S McGovern; C Jordan, A Price, P Fennell; P Dowdall, A McGrath, P Greville; A Clarke, J Clarke; B Murtagh, F Boyle, R Greville; N O'Brien, J Shaw, E Price.
WEXFORD (SFC v Longford):A Masterson; N Murphy, G Molloy, R Tierney; A Flynn, D Murphy, B Malone; D Waters, R Quinlivan; C Morris, S Roche, B Brosnan; C Lyng, E Bradley, R Barry.
FERMANAGH (SFC v Down):R Gallagher; N Bogue, B Owens (capt), N McGovern; D Kelly, B Cox, B Mulrone; S Lyons, E Donnelly; D Keenan, B Óg Maguire, R Jones; T Corrigan, S Quigley, S McCabe.
