Injuries force O'Leary into comeback

Former Dublin All-Ireland winning captain John O'Leary has returned to the county panel. O'Leary, one of manager Tom Carr's three selectors, was drafted in for Saturday's challenge match with Kerry.

His decision to come out of retirement was prompted by injury worries which have been stalking the Dublin camp less than a fortnight before the Leinster first-round match against Kildare.

"Davy Byrne had a bad groin strain which we didn't believe would clear up and we thought we would be stuck for a second 'keeper. John's inclusion is simply another option - without getting carried away with it. John mightn't even tog out (for the Kildare match). I think that this week will tell the tale as to how Davy is recovering as well as a number of others."

The position of Mick Pender, the other goalkeeper on the panel, is unaffected. "We now have three goalkeepers on the panel," said Carr, "and without being evasive, I'm waiting to see how their form holds up closer to the match."

Dublin's manager agreed that the lengthy injury list he has to deal with has influenced his decision. This applies particularly to the indisposition of Paddy Christie and David Martin, both of whom would be strong contenders for the full-back line.

"Correct. The bottom line is that I think nowadays you've got to take it altogether. You've got to think of the goalkeeper as an integral part of the backline and that has a bearing on the decision to include such an experienced 'keeper as John.

"Keith Galvin's out (broken leg) which is unfortunate. He was playing very well. Eamonn Heery (ribs) hasn't trained in two weeks, Ian Robertson (ankle) hasn't played in three, Ciaran Whelan (hamstring) in two weeks. Paddy Christie is only off crutches and, whereas I haven't been able to rule him out, I'm unable to write him in. David Martin thinks he'll be ready but the physio thinks he won't."

Another major injury concern surrounds captain and centre forward Dessie Farrell who's been carrying a groin injury and abdominal problems which have restricted his movement considerably.

John O'Leary's return to the panel hasn't affected his status as a selector. "I don't feel it affects him as a selector," according to Carr, "and he doesn't either."

In Derry, however, All-Ireland medallist Enda Gormley is making a comeback to the panel and has resigned as a selector. Gormley, who has been beset by injury throughout his career, returned to the team for a challenge match recently and is now back in training and in contention for a place against Monaghan in Sunday's Ulster championship first round at Celtic Park.

"Enda's stopped being a selector," according to county PRO Gerry Donnelly. "In his words, he's `changed camps' and feels there might be a conflict of interest."

No decision has been made on replacing Gormley on the management team and given the proximity of the championship and the fact there are still three selectors, manager Brian Mullins, Frank Kearney and Anthony McGurk, a replacement may not be necessary.

Bad news for the county comes in the form of a hamstring injury to Gary Coleman. Wing back on the team which won the All-Ireland five years ago, he has moved around the pitch quite extensively in the meantime and lined out in last month's National League final at centre forward.

Coleman damaged his hamstring in training last week and looks set to miss the Monaghan match, just as he did 12 months ago, with a similar injury.

Tipperary make only one change for Saturday evening's Munster championship match against Waterford in Clonmel. Conor O'Shea, who was listed at full forward but who swapped positions with Declan Browne and played in the corner during the first preliminary round defeat of Limerick, makes way for Micheal Spillane who is named at full forward.

Meanwhile Dublin manager Michael O'Grady brings in four championship debutants for Sunday's Leinster championship first round against Kilkenny at Parnell Park. Derek McMullen at left corner back, right wing forward Shane Martin, right corner forward David Sweeney and left corner forward Tomas McGrane all make their first appearance at this level.

"Obviously we believe we've a chance," says O'Grady. "We've a better team this year and Parnell Park is worth a point to us. I don't mind what the weather is like. All our matches so far have been in bad conditions."

O'Grady added that he was aware of Kilkenny's recent improved form which has seen good challenge match victories against Limerick and Tipperary.

For his part Kilkenny manager Kevin Fennelly names his team tonight with injury concerns about Shane Prendergast and Johnny Dooley. "There's a few other niggly injuries," says Fennelly, "but not as bad we were. At one stage we were crippled with them."