Meath have announced no serious injury worries after Sunday's narrow Leinster semi-final win over Louth. Darren Fay, who was concussed, is likely to take a two-week break from the game. Although there is a programme of club matches in the county at the weekend, Fay's club Trim are not in contention and are expected to rest the full back.

Left wing forward Jimmy McGuinness was also substituted at half-time after sustaining injury to his shoulder and ribs in a collision. He may also be rested for a week or so. Other injuries picked up were by midfielder John McDermott, who fell awkwardly and hurt his leg, and wing back Paddy Reynolds who received a knock on the head.

As none of the injuries is that serious, the fact that there will be a five-week break until the Leinster final should more than take care of rehabilitation requirements.

Selector Frank Foley said that Fay's injury had affected his first-half display. "Darren got a knock and was concussed from early on. It wasn't characteristic for him to stand off the way he did when Stefan White scored the goal. A gap just opened up. Afterwards he didn't remember anything and his peripheral vision was gone but it came back and he was alright by Sunday night."

Foley believes that the surprisingly close nature of the match was a tribute to Louth's performance and that Meath didn't play as badly as people assumed in the event of such a narrow victory.

"No matter what, if games start at 100 miles per hour it takes a while to establish a pattern of play. They started well and were leading 1-3 to 0-2. Even with the pressure, a lot of our guys played well. Donal Curtis was having a tough time but he stuck at it.

"We were able to turn on a little more style in the second half. If Tommy (Dowd) had taken all his chances we would have gone five or six points clear and won comfortably."

That Meath won so narrowly was a surprise because of the team's impressive victory over National League and Leinster champions Offaly a month ago. It has caused speculation that they were so wound up for the first-round match and had had so long to prepare for it, a reaction was inevitable.

"I think there's too much emphasis on that. I heard it on the radio that Louth caught Meath on the hop but that wasn't a fair reflection of Louth's performance. I think there were vastly overrated reports of us after the Offaly match and maybe this was a truer reflection. In the first half, it was players who had been quieter against Offaly who made the running.

"Barry Callaghan - I know he played well against Offaly - played very well in the first half and Nigel Nestor played very well, both in the first half and throughout. I think it's great to get hard games unless you pick up injuries or suspensions - which was the trouble last year after the Kildare games."

The most surprising aspect of Louth's performance for Foley was that when the match approached its conclusion, he believed that Meath would pull away and win with a little to spare. Instead their opponents stayed the pace and were coming back when the match ended. He believes that fitness is now becoming a fixed part of every team's preparation.

"There was no question of any difference in fitness, that's not going to win it anymore. Every team is going to be fit but it helps if you've a Tommy Dowd to take the scores."

In hurling, Kilkenny manager Kevin Fennelly and his selectors have deferred until tomorrow night selection of the team to face Offaly in next Sunday's Guinness Leinster final. "We've a few injuries that are holding things up and rather than name two or three AN Others we've decided to leave it until later in the week.

"Michael Phelan picked up an injury from the Laois game and he's the only one of the last day's team whose injury is causing concern but Johnny Dooley is just back from injury and we want to see how he's going. Shane Prendergast has a hamstring and they're all potential problems in the half-forwards. We also want to have a look at Brian McEvoy.

"We're waiting to give the team to the players first. If I did that this evening, the lads not on it would have too long to think about it."

Although he expected Offaly to emerge from the other semi-final, the quality of Wexford's performance surprised Fennelly. But as he points out, Kilkenny don't have a hectic recent record against Offaly at this level.

"It's 11 years since we beat Offaly in a Leinster final so our record against them is nothing to write home about."

Offaly report no serious injuries, just a couple of pulled hamstrings and a broken little finger for Martin Hanamy. Offaly County Board PRO Pat Teehan said: "Any other player might be doubtful with an injury like that but it probably won't trouble Martin." The team announcement is expected tonight.

Sunday's big football match in Munster brings together All-Ireland champions Kerry and Cork who - courtesy of Clare - didn't meet last year for the first time since 1965. A full house of 43,000 is expected at refurbished Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney.

Kerry have no injury concerns as both Pa Laide and William Kirby, who trained last Saturday, have recovered and the team will be released tomorrow morning. Cork are similarly untroubled and will announce their line-up this evening with manager Larry Tompkins having declared himself available for what would be a surprise call-up.