DJ Carey fought his way through the pain barrier during Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final. The Kilkenny forward picked up a foot injury during the opening half of the match against Offaly, which was yesterday diagnosed as a broken bone. Carey has pulled out of the Rest of Leinster team to play Offaly in the GOAL challenge on Friday evening in Birr.
His foot is currently in plaster, and Carey has an appointment with his doctors next week. He is hoping to be able to play with his club, Young Irelands (Gowran) against James Stephens when Kilkenny's knockout championship starts on Saturday week. Meanwhile, the Kerry Board has revealed that football manager Paidi O Se has been confirmed in the post for another year.
Hurling fans would appear to be in for another treat next Sunday when two highly-rated teams from Cork and Galway meet in the final of the under-21 championship in Thurles. Both sides include a number of players from the counties' senior squads and the stakes are high as each of the counties seeks to end a poor patch.
Much interest will focus on the Galway team manager Noel Lane, who is said to be among those being considered for the position of manager of the senior side. He was something of a Galway hero during his playing days when he won three All-Ireland medals, in 1980, '87 and '88.
Galway will be calling on three of their senior side - Kevin Broderick, Eugene Cloonan and Alan Kerins. Cork have their own senior stars such as Sean Og O hAilpin, Joe Deane and Diarmuid O'Sullivan.
As Offaly savour the sweet taste of success in the most eventful senior hurling championship for many years and Kilkenny nurse their bruised egos, the focus will switch to football very soon, as the unique pairing of Kildare and Galway prepare for their All-Ireland clash. Galway report a clean bill of health and have been training quietly and without fuss in Tuam and Ballinasloe. At the weekend, their manager, John O'Mahony, is expected to name the team which beat Derry in the semi-final for the final. Kildare may delay their selection until late next week as they give Ronan Quinn every chance to recover from key-hole surgery on a leg muscle. Quinn's recovery has been rapid and he has taken to cycling to help him to recover and take his place at full back.
Kildare manager Mick O'Dwyer would appear to have something of an embarrassment of riches. Niall Buckley, who missed the semi-final against Kerry because of a leg injury, is expected to return. This will probably result in the omission of Ken Doyle, who came into the side at the last minute. If Quinn recovers, and with Buckley available again, Kildare will probably revert to the line-out which they announced for the Kerry match, with Buckley partnering Willie McCreery at midfield.
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