Injury problems may force Dublin to look to O'Leary

The enduring injury problems within the Dublin football panel could pave the way for a return for former captain and goalkeeper John O'Leary.

Regular goalkeeper Davy Byrne has been given a 50-50 chance of being fit for Dublin's championship start against Longford on Sunday week, and that could see O'Leary at least returning to the sideline.

Byrne is still recovering from a groin operation that forced him out of the latter stages of the league and manager Tom Carr admitted yesterday that he is still some way off the sort of fitness that would see him return to the starting line-up.

As for O'Leary - who currently acts as a team selector - Carr said it was unlikely he would get a starting place, but not totally unlikely that he may come back into the panel.

"At the moment I can say that he won't be in selection for the starting 15. But we will just have to wait and see what happens with Davy Byrne."

Under-21 goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton has been filling the responsibility between the posts in recent weeks, including Dublin's final challenge game against Down in Tulynish on Sunday evening - which Dublin won 4-21 to 1-15.

Colm Boyle also took the responsibility in the final league game against Galway, but O'Leary's experience - at least on the sideline - is becoming a growing option for Carr.

There was some better news for Carr surrounding some of his outfield players. Paul Curran, Paddy Christie and Jason Sherlock all came through the first full game in a number of weeks, and Declan Darcy also played without any injury problems and scored 1-3.

"It did go very well for us, and we played some nice football. But, of course, it was friendly stuff on a Sunday evening, and so you have to put that score in context."

While Cavan manager Val Andrews didn't risk playing Dermot McCabe and Mickey Graham in their football challenge against Offaly in Gracefield, Offaly manager Padraig Nolan now has a worry over James Brady.

He received an ankle injury in his side's 2-15 to 3-8 loss and faces a race against time to be fit for the meeting with Laois on May 27th.

Meanwhile, the Down hurling team have to thank substitute Johnny McGrattan for keeping them in the Ulster hurling championship.

His point from a free five minutes into injury-time gave the Ulstermen a narrow one-point victory over New York in the Ulster quarter-final at Gaelic Park in New York on Sunday evening - so that Down prevailed 1-16 to 2-12.

Opposing substitute David Simms gave New York a three point lead with 11 minutes left for play. Down then moved up a pace and an exciting goal from Martin Coulter 10 minutes from time put the sides level.

Three times points were exchanged before Down took the lead with a Noel Sands point with two minutes left for play.

However, former Tipperary player Bonnie Kennedy, who was by far New York's most effective forward, levelled the game at the end of 70 minutes, and the responsibility for a 45-yard free was given to Johnny McGrattan who launched it over the bar.

Down next play Antrim on July 1st at Casement Park.