There was mixed news for Offaly hurling manager Michael McNamara yesterday with Brian Whelahan getting the go-ahead for next month's championship opener but the worst was still feared for Rory Hannify's knee injury.

There had been fears that Whelahan had sustained a broken jaw or cheekbone during an incident in last weekend's NHL match with Kilkenny but a relieved McNamara was able to revise that diagnosis.

"Initially we thought there might have been a fracture because of the immediate swelling. There's been no break to the jaw or cheekbone but some very heavy bruising with stitches and dislocation of some teeth, which will keep him out for two and a half weeks or so. He'll miss the remainder of the League fixtures but he'll be all right for the championship and all the preparations."

Of the other injuries picked up in a bruising afternoon, Hannify's appears to be the most serious.

"It looks like a long-term knee injury. He's going for a scan tomorrow (today) and we'll hope for the best but it's a major worry."

Dual player Neville Coughlan's shoulder injury looks likely to keep him out of the Offaly footballers' Division Two semi-final against Kildare.

Ahead of the coming semi-finals all four of the Division One semi-finalists have injury concerns after club fixtures last weekend.

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, will "attempt" to select a side tonight for the meeting with Limerick.

"I say 'attempt' because we have a few injuries," he said. "Declan O'Sullivan came off and so did Michael McCarthy. Maybe they were taken off as a precaution but we won't really know until they're examined at training. The Gaeltacht players came back training last week and they'll be in the picture as well."

Limerick continue to have concerns about the trio who missed the decisive section match against Armagh: Muiris Gavin, Mark O'Riordan and Tommy Stack.

Holders Tyrone will defer selection until Thursday because of injuries. Top of the list is Gerard Cavlan who pulled a hamstring in a club match at the weekend.

"I was speaking to him earlier," said manager Mickey Harte, "and he wasn't hopeful. He said that you expect to be a bit sore the next day but that this was really, really sore. Ger has no history of hamstring injury. He's a great athlete and very flexible so it's a new problem for him.

"Chris Lawn also got a bit of a bang just as he was on his way back from injury, which is disappointing."

Harte is hopeful that forward Stephen O'Neill's appeal against suspension will be heard in time to allow him, if successful, to play against Galway in Omagh. "I don't think he deserves a month's suspension and the county secretary has put in place the procedures to have the appeal heard. If I get confirmation that the appeal's going ahead, I'll certainly bear in mind leaving a vacancy for him on Thursday night."

Finally, Galway manager John O'Mahony has confirmed that Noel Meehan is unlikely to play after injuring himself in the final section match against Cavan.

"It's a knee injury," said the manager, "but not severe ligament damage as we had feared. He hasn't been able to train since and has to be extremely doubtful."