As Meath prepare to host Derry in this Sunday's National Football League encounter in Navan, their All Star forward Trevor Giles is looking forward to travelling to Australia in April as team physiotherapist to the Irish under-18 development side.
The talented free-taker has been out of the game since suffering a devastating injury in the last period of the Leinster final against Kildare, an incident which arguably turned the game. While the initial prognosis was bleak, Giles, who works in Louth County Hospital in Dundalk, can at last see light ahead.
"Well, without being vague, I can definitely see myself playing football at some point over the summer. It's too early to specify a date. When you are working a nine-to-five job, often even longer, it can be difficult to get in as much training as you'd like. Simply finding the time can be awkward. But I'm reasonably happy with the way the knee is responding," he said yesterday.
Meath are scheduled to play Wicklow in the first round of the championship on June 6th and although that match would offer an ideal setting for Giles to make his return, he may have to hope that a first-round victory lays the platform for a mid-summer homecoming.
"One of the frustrating aspects of the injury is the uncertainty of it. It feels okay, I'm doing a bit of light jogging and weights work but it is a slow process."
However, he does not feel that the trip to Australia will impinge upon his schedule. "Not at all. In general, I'm really looking forward to the trip, it's a great experience for me and I'm thrilled to be involved. The group of lads are tremendously dedicated and it's brilliant to be able to contribute something towards that effort. From a personal perspective, I am hoping that the environment and the time I might have will afford me the chance to step up in terms of training a little bit."
Meanwhile, Meath manager Sean Boylan may wait until tomorrow before selecting a side. Impressive since the beginning of the league in October, Meath will be hoping to copperfasten their play-off status with a home win against Derry.
All the Meath panellists came through a full programme of club matches at the weekend unscathed, although Richie Keally, injured in the previous National League match against Down, was rested.
Derry, who have been the most consistent league side of the decade, have been uncharacteristically muted this season and find themselves in the unlikely position of having to scavenge for Division One survival points. Manager Eamonn Coleman has a full complement of players available to him. Paul McFlynn has recovered well from an operation on his tonsils and lined out for the county under-21 side for their 1-13 to 0-6 win over Ulster champions Armagh in the Ulster championship. Ballinderry's Gerard Cassidy hit 10 frees as he amassed a personal tally of 1-10 in that match and may feature in the Derry attack in Navan on Sunday.
Henry Downey, who captained Derry to All-Ireland success in 1993, is still recovering from a groin operation and at this stage is unlikely to feature in the league. Round five of the league programme will be completed this weekend with a number of teams expected to announce their teams tonight.
