Donaghy's injury status to become clearer this week

NEWS ROUND-UP:KIERAN DONAGHY may be given the green light to recommence full training after seeing a consultant this week in Dublin.

Or he may be told to forget about kicking a football until closer to the All-Ireland final on September 20th, presuming Kerry dispose of Meath in three weeks' time.

Either way, when the most famous injury-listed player goes for a check-up at the sports surgery clinic in Santry it becomes headline news.

Donaghy sustained a metatarsal fracture in the National League final against Derry in April and exacerbated it in last month's qualifier against Longford. He acted as a water-carrier against Dublin but was visibly struggling.

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor has more pressing concerns this evening with six of his panel involved in a club championship match in Tralee.

Kerry goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy and Tommy Griffin line out for Dingle against a Kerins O'Rahilly's outfit that should include Walsh brothers, Tommy and Barry John, David Moran and Micheal Quirke.

Meanwhile, hurling matters take centre stage this Sunday, on a patchy but sturdy Croke Park surface, with the second AllIreland semi-final being contested by Munster champions Tipperary and Limerick.

Limerick manager Justin McCarthy's plans have been helped by the return of Niall Moran to full training after a badly-broken index finger, sustained against Wexford, which ruled him out of the Laois and Dublin victories. His elder brother, Ollie, is also nearing a level of fitness that would allow him feature from the outset.

McCarthy will pick a team at training tonight, but not release it to the public until Thursday.

More positives see Stephen Lucey and Mark O'Riordan giving their full commitment to hurling after the footballers were knocked out of the championship 10 days ago.

Tipperary report a clean bill of health with Shane Maher and Eoin Kelly over their recent problems. Their team will be released, after a light session in Thurles, also on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, Tommy Carr has confirmed his intention to continue as Cavan football manager in 2010 despite a vote of no confidence being tabled against him. The proposal was defeated 30-23 last Tuesday with a majority of clubs voting against his management team returning, but the executive ensured the vote went his way. The former Dublin and Roscommon manager indicated his decision to remain was dictated by player support.

Former Clare hurler and current Dublin manager Anthony Daly will take centre stage at Croke Park later this month for the latest tour in the GAA Museum Legends Series.

The man from Clarecastle will recall captaining Clare to two All-Ireland wins when he hosts the upcoming tour of Croke Park on Friday, August 21st at 7pm.

Finally, the 2008 McNamee Award winners have been confirmed by the GAA.

The presentation will take place at Croke Park on August 16th.

McNAMEE AWARDS

Best GAA History Publication:Loughinisland GAC, Down.

Best Website:Belgium GFC, Brussels, www.belgiumgaa.com.

Best Photograph:Oliver McVeigh, Sportsfile (Joe Canning, Galway, in action against Cormac Donnelly, Antrim. All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifier, Round One 2008, Casement Park, Belfast).

Best County Programme:Wexford SHC final.

Best Local Radio Programme:WLR FM (Waterford Local Radio), 2008.

Hurling in Review Provincial Media Award:Western People, feature on All-Ireland MFC Final 2008.

National Media Award:Jackie Cahill.

Irish Language Award:Raidió na Gaeltachta Sort an Domhnaigh.

Best Modern Technology Innovation (for use of modern technology in relation to the promotion of GAA activity):St Peter's GAA Club, Down.

Hall of Fame Award:Ray McManus, Sportsfile.