Donnellan looks good for Galway comeback

Gaelic Football News round-up: Fears in Galway that Michael Donnellan would miss the start of the Connacht football championship have greatly subsided.

The groin injury which has sidelined Donnellan since August has finally responded to an operation carried out in London last month, and showed no reaction in two separate tests at the weekend.

On Saturday morning he came through a full trial match with the Galway panel, and then later that evening played another full game for his club, Dunmore McHales, against Kilkerrin/Clonberne. In both cases Donnellan was untroubled by the injury - which was vastly reassuring considering his last full game of any consequence was the Connacht final late last June.

The injury first surfaced during the All-Ireland quarter-final against Kerry on August 4th. He failed to finish that game, and subsequently lasted around 30 minutes playing for his club before breaking down again.

After an extended period of rest, and then treatment from several sports injury specialists, Donnellan was still unable to train with Galway at the end of January.

The visit to a sports physician in London who, in fact, specialises in injuries to soccer players, was seen as the last resort. Almost immediately, however, Donnellan's problem was diagnosed as osteitis pubis - or inflammation as a result of a muscle tear in the groin-stomach area. It can arise simply from the cumulative effect of the shearing movement involved in kicking a football, or is more likely triggered by a sudden tackle or fall.

Around four weeks ago Donnellan returned to London for a minor operation, and has since been involved in some intensive rehab. Last week he went a step further and returned to full training with the Galway panel.

Yesterday, Galway manager John O'Mahony spoke with obvious relief about the positive news concerning his midfielder's immediate future. "At this stage the operation appears to be a total success," he said, "and of course we're delighted that Michael is now back training with us.

"And it has been a long time for him to be sidelined. After being told that rest would be the best cure eventually he broke down again in January. It was at that point he set up the appointment with a specialist in London, and as it turned out it is a common injury in a lot of sports. And for Michael it was causing all the problems.

"Obviously he's done nothing too intense but so far so good. It's mainly a question now of catching up on his fitness, and playing in a few more matches as well as part of his progression back. But it is good news for Galway football. There are no other major injury concerns to report right now, and I suppose that makes a change."

With just under five weeks now before Galway's opening game in the Connacht championship, against Roscommon on May 18th, the return of Donnellan couldn't have been better timed.

Coincidentally, a similar groin injury has sidelined Galway hurler Gregory Kennedy, and has also caused problems for Noel Kennelly of Kerry.

The return of Galway's star footballer contrasts with the fortunes of Mayo, who are now certain to be without centre forward Kieran McDonald as part of their Connacht championship title challenge. A brief statement from the Mayo County Board yesterday evening confirmed his decision not to play for the county for the remainder of the season.

Speaking earlier yesterday, Mayo manager John Maughan was already resigned to being without McDonald for the championship. It is not, however, the first time that McDonald dropped out of the panel and subsequently returned.

"Of course it is very disappointing news but that's the way things have panned out and we must just get on with it and do what is best for Mayo football," said Maughan. "I do know that Kieran was infuriated a few weeks ago when reports came out that he had dropped out of the panel, but I just don't know what his exact feelings are now."

Meanwhile, Kevin Hughes and Ryan Mellon are doubtful for Tyrone's National Football League clash with Fermanagh on Sunday.

Hughes suffered a groin strain in a club match at the weekend, and while Mellon will be available after suspension, he has been suffering from a virus and hasn't trained for the past two weeks.

And with Cormac McAnallen suspended and Colin Holmes deputising at full back for the injured Chris Lawn, manager Mickey Harte could be without as many as four recognised midfielders.