GAELIC GAMES: KIERAN McGEENEY has told Dermot Earley to take his time before thinking about his future at intercounty level, but is backing the Kildare midfielder to come back as strong as ever.

Earley is coming to terms with rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee, just five months after having the same injury plus a micro-fracture on the top of his cartilage operated on.

“We’re planning without Dermot at the minute, but the one positive for him is that it will give the micro-fracture more time to heal,” said McGeeney. “It’s a tough one to come back from, it’s not good for him, but he’s a tough fella upstairs and, hopefully, he’ll react in the right way to it.

“You can’t talk for the fella (with regard to what he is going to do). I told him to stay away (on Sunday) and let him gather his thoughts. He’s enough going on. It’s been a tough year for him, so just let him off for a day or two and see what he comes back with.”