TEAM NEWS:MEATH MANAGER Eamonn O'Brien is awaiting fitness updates on a couple of key defenders before naming his team for Sunday's Leinster football opener against Offaly.
First-choice full back Kevin Reilly sustained a hamstring injury at training last weekend, and continues to get treatment, while regular centre back Cormac McGuinness is suffering from a similar injury and is more likely to miss out on Sunday’s game in Portlaoise.
O’Brien won’t finalise his team until this evening, but Reilly’s absence would be costly, particularly as he’s already been in and out of the team over the last two years with a back complaint.
If neither make the starting 15, and with Niall McKeigue a longer-term absentee, Anthony Moyles is certain to fill one of the defensive positions.
Already ruled out are forwards Jamie Queeney and Brian Sheridan because of ankle and hamstring injuries respectively, although Shane O’Rourke is poised for his first championship start since 2007 having finally put his series of injuries problems behind him.
Offaly manager Tom Cribbin reports a clean bill of health with Niall McNamee recovered from a recent thigh strain and Scott Brady also back on board this season, although forward David Egan, who recently returned after breaking a bone in his foot, is unlikely to start.
In hurling, Laois manager Niall Rigney has named his strongest possible team for Saturday’s Leinster championship opener against Carlow. Pat Carroll has been selected in goal while Cahir Healy will start at full back. Shane Dollard is also passed fit to start in the forward line.
Carlow will be without midfielder Eoin Nolan and Ruairi Dunbar.
Fears that Wicklow footballer Pat McWalter would miss the rest of the season have now been realised as the knee injury sustained in last Sunday’s Leinster first round win over Carlow required an operation.
McWalter underwent repair work on a broken kneecap which will sideline him for anything between three and five months.
Meanwhile ESB, the sponsors of the GAA All-Ireland minor football and hurling championship, yesterday launched an exam support guide created specifically for minor players. The website – www.esbexampass.ie – was unveiled by former minor stars Séamus Callanan of Tipperary and Marty Clarke of Down, both of whom contributed to the site.
ESB Exam Pass aims to provide several tools to help minor players cope with the additional pressures that exam time brings.
Former Armagh player and sports psychologist Enda McNulty focuses on achievable goal setting and motivation, trainer Mike McGurn has a guide to keeping match fit during exam time, while nutritionist Freda Molamphy provides simple tips on the best food to eat to ensure optimum performance throughout exam time.
“On training days, I used to try and put in that extra bit of effort in the classroom, and make every bit of the time I had count, as I knew I’d have less time in the evening due to training commitments,” said Clarke.
“I know I found I learned a lot from the older players in my club when I was doing my final year and exams, and I hope that other players out there across the country find something to help them in this guide.”
LAOIS (SH v Carlow): P Carroll; J Delaney, C Healy, C Dunne; B Campion, M Whelan, J Fitzpatrick; M McEvoy, J Walsh; S Dollard, W Hyland, Z Keenan; E Costello, T Fitzgerald, Neil Foyle.
