GAELIC GAMES:GALWAY HURLERS have been dealt another long-term blow with promising attacker Richie Cummins ruled out of their National League campaign.

Team manager John McIntyre yesterday confirmed the 2009 All-Ireland minor winning captain will be out of action for several months. Cummins is to undergo surgery on an ankle injury and will face a race against time to be fit for the start of the Leinster championship.

It is the second blow in a week for Galway, with captain Shane Kavanagh undergoing surgery, also on an ankle injury, which will keep him out until next summer. “We’ve been persecuted by injury but at least we have time to make contingency plans,” said McIntyre.

Galway will begin their Leinster championship campaign when they take on either Carlow or Westmeath on June 4th.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny’s James Ryall has announced his retirement from intercounty hurling.

The 30-year-old Graigue-Ballycallan defender has a haul of six All-Ireland medals, seven Leinster and four NHL titles. Injuries in recent years have curtailed Ryall’s involvement with the senior team, with the 2006 All-Ireland win over Cork a personal highlight for him.

Westmeath’s Michael Ennis will miss the National Football League through injury. The defender is to have surgery on a shoulder problem and is not expected to be back in action until the county begin their championship campaign next June.

Ennis’ absence is a blow to manager Pat Flanagan following the decision of Damien Healy, Martin Flanagan and Damien Healy to quit the inter-county scene.

Two-time All Star winner John Keane is also facing a spell on the sidelines as he is suffering with a chronic knee injury.