LET’S CLEAR something up. Dermot Earley’s current injury is not the cruciate ligament damage sustained during a league game against Laois last spring.
No, in fact, he damaged another area of the same troublesome knee in the initial stages of the All-Ireland quarter-final against Meath almost four weeks ago.
However, the veteran midfielder remains a serious concern for Kildare’s semi-final against Down this Sunday.
Earley underwent keyhole surgery just days after Kildare’s excellent performance, largely in his absence, against Meath as selector Niall Carew explained yesterday (no other Kildare player or member of Kieran McGeeney’s management is available for comment this week).
“It wasn’t the cruciate,” confirmed Carew. “It was just a small bit of damage. We just repaired that. If it was the cruciate he would be gone but he has a problem with the cruciate as well but that wasn’t the problem against Meath – it was another problem in the same knee.
“Dermot might not need surgery with the type of cruciate injury he has. Even though it is gone he can build up around it. It depends on the make-up of the body. Some lads can build it up and that will do the job.
“If it was gone completely he wouldn’t be able to play. Full stop. But the fact it is still hanging on with some fibres there and scans show that. With some lads it just caves in but Dermot was able to play a few league games and get back for the championship . . .
“But that’s not our concern, it is the new injury and time is against him.”
Earley did commence some light jogging last weekend but it is probable that Hughie Lynch will start in midfield after his impressive cameo in the win over Meath.
Ronan Sweeney remains another, and certainly experienced, option for McGeeney.
“Dermot is huge for us both on and off the pitch,” explained Eamonn Callaghan recently, when picking up the Vodafone player of the month award for July, before adding: “But in Kildare we have a huge squad. Hughie Lynch game on and played very well, very composed. We have other lads as well who can come on. Obviously Dermot is a huge loss for us but hopefully he will be back. But we are fairly confident we have lads to come in to fill the gap.”
A decision on Earley will not be made until Sunday morning and it appears the long-serving midfielder will be allowed make the final call. “ We are going to give him every chance and let him decide,” added Carew.
Meanwhile, it now appears Down midfielder Ambrose Rodgers suffered only a strain of his cruciate knee ligament in a recent club game but it leaves him with a similar chance of featuring as Earley.
“Ambrose is not losing hope and there is a chance he will play but (Down manager) James (McCartan) is planning without him,” said Down PRO Ronan McMahon.
Kildare will release a team tomorrow with Down holding off until Friday night.
The Meath County Board’s management committee has decided to recommend that Eamonn O’Brien be returned as senior football team manager for a third term and the proposal will be put to a meeting on Monday week, September 6.
In his first term at the helm, O’Brien guided Meath to the All-Ireland semi-final where they lost to Kerry. This year a first Leinster title since 2001 was annexed but the success was clouded in controversy because of Joe Sheridan’s late goal when he carried the ball over the line. Meath were subsequently defeated by Kildare. If given the green light, O’Brien will have to find a new trainer as Sean Kelly, who was also a selector, has stepped down.
Dubliner Val Andrews and Terry Hyland are expected to be ratified as the joint-Cavan football managers, replacing Tommy Carr, at tomorrow’s county board meeting. Andrews was in charge of Cavan from 1999 to 2001 and recently stepped down as Dublin minor manager having also gained further experience with Louth.
Tyrrell’s Sigh Of Relief Walsh Returns To Training
JACKIE Tyrrell was able to laugh about his recent collision with county team-mate Tommy Walsh at the Kilkenny press night last Monday, but only after it was confirmed the 2009 hurler of the year had recovered sufficiently to play in the All-Ireland final against Tipperary on Sunday week.
The pair, who have 11 All-Ireland medals between them, collided in the recent Tullaroan versus James Stephens club championship meeting, resulting in Walsh popping his AC shoulder joint. But he has reportedly made a full recovery and returns to full training tonight.
“I don’t think I would have got out of the county – I’d say I would have been shot,” joked Tyrrell.
“I don’t know. It was just a clash. The ball just broke and I got it and I was running up the sideline and I was looking forward and I see this little red helmet haring at me from the sideline.
“Then I just turned around, he seemed like 20 yards away and the next thing he was on me. We just kind of collided and play developed and he was left holding his shoulder.
“Look, it would take a lot to keep Tommy Walsh down, he’ll be back and he’ll be raring to go.”
Still, Tyrrell was happy to hear his friend was okay?
“Oh God I was. I was on the phone to him straight after the match.”
Now, Kilkenny need Ger Hartmann to work some magic on Henry Shefflin.
“There’s talk going around about Henry and John (Tennyson),” admitted Tyrrell.
“They haven’t been in much of our training. I suppose it’s hard when you’re injured to come in and look at training. So they’ve been doing their own bit.
“Were all just praying that there might be some miracle and they can still play some part in the game. It’s a waiting game at the minute.”
– Gavin Cummiskey
