News: A weekend of club championship fare has left several intercounty managers fearing the worst. In particular, Dublin and Fermanagh midfielders Shane Ryan and Liam McBarron picked up injuries.
According to the Dublin management Ryan "tweaked" his hamstring in Naomh Mearnog's draw with Whitehall Colmcille on Sunday. "He didn't pull it but with two weeks until the next match (against Meath on June 5th) we are hopeful he can recover in time," said selector Brian Talty.
Ryan is becoming the ideal foil to Ciarán Whelan at centrefield as he makes up for a lack of height with athleticism and he hoovered up plenty of loose ball in the recent victory over Longford. His absence would reopen the door for Darren Homan, with Denis Bastic and Declan O'Mahony also serious candidates.
McBarron limped off after 23 minutes, with a recurrence of an Achilles tendon problem, in Kilmacud Crokes' one-point victory over St Brigid's, also in the Dublin championship last Friday night. "He is getting treatment on it," said Fermanagh manager Charlie Mulgrew. "We have training tonight so I will get a better assessment after that."
Pádraic Joyce suffered a knee injury as Killererin beat Dunmore McHales in the Galway championship but managed to finish the game and should be fit for the Connacht semi-final against Leitrim on June 12th. So too, should Seán Armstrong, despite not playing against New York and in a recent club match because of illness.
Laois welcome back captain Kevin Fitzpatrick, and Joe Higgins for their clash with neighbours Offaly on Sunday at Croke Park. Fitzpatrick and Higgins are pushing hard for starting berths, but Brian "Beano" McDonald is another three weeks off full fitness after breaking his leg against Tyrone last summer.
"He has done tremendous work to get back at all," said selector Declan O'Loughlin. "He has been restricted to 15 or 20 minutes here and there as we haven't overdone it. If the game was three to four weeks later I'm sure he would have some involvement but we still expect Beano to play some part in this year's Leinster championship."
Laois will name tonight. Offaly released their starting line-up on Sunday night with Damien Hunt and John Reynolds paying the price for some poor shooting against Louth in the opening round. They are replaced by Pascal Kellaghan and Mark Daly.
The second match at Croke Park this Sunday pits an injury-ravaged Westmeath against Kildare. Five of those who played in the 2004 Leinster final replay are unlikely to feature with full back Donal O'Donoghue the most difficult one to replace. The UCD student completed his final Engineering exams last Saturday having sacrificed two months of training although he has rejoined the panel.
Paul Conway, Gary Dolan and David O'Shaughnessy are either injured or trying to regain full fitness. And then there are the mass defections from the ranks since last year.
Kildare may name tonight with veterans Karl Ennis and Dermot Earley pushing for inclusion after their second-half introductions tipped the scales against Wicklow.
Kerry continued their build-up for Sunday's opener in Thurles against Tipperary by playing a trial match over the weekend.
All players were pulled from club league matches except Declan Quill who kicked five points for Kerins O'Rahillys against Dr Crokes on his return from a collarbone injury.
Interestingly, this year's captain Declan O'Sullivan, Eamon Fitzmaurice and Liam Hassett lined out on the B team.
The A side contained Mike Frank Russell in the corner, Paddy Kelly at centre forward with Brendan Guiney at wing back alongside centre back Tomás Ó Sé. Kerry will announce their team tomorrow night.
