Wexford wait on Ryan: Darragh Ryan is set to make a dramatic recovery in time for the Leinster senior hurling championship. Wexford boss Séamus Murphy has given the strongest hint yet that the former All-Star fullback could be back for the championship semi-final clash on June 12th against the winners of Dublin and Laois.
Murphy had feared the worst at the beginning of the year when Ryan suffered what appeared a serious knee injury assisting Leinster in the provincial cup final, and last week Ryan went under the knife and had a cartilage removed from his knee.
Following the operation surgeons were more upbeat with Ryan given the all clear to continue his intercounty hurling career. But first he must go through the pain barrier with weeks of work in the gym to strengthen his knee and step up his fitness levels, having been out of the game for five months.
"The diagnosis for Darragh is most encouraging," said Murphy. "Realistically, we'll not be rushing him back, which rules out the league. Ideally, our target will be the Leinster semi-final, which gives him an opportunity to build up the knee, get his fitness right, and have some hurling practice."
Boost for Limerick
After eight months out through a leg injury, midfielder John Galvin is ready to make his return to the Limerick senior football team for Sunday's clash with Wexford. Though manager Liam Kearns will not announce his team until after training tonight, he indicated that Galvin - who last played against Derry in the All-Ireland qualifiers - was central to his plans.
Further good news is that Stephen Lucey has returned to training following an operation on his shoulder, but will not be considered for team selection for at least a month.
Also back in light training is goalkeeper Séamus O'Donnell, who missed the defeats to Down and Laois. Conor Fitzgerald, who had also been on the injured list and who was introduced as substitute against Down, is another ready to start on Sunday.
D-Day for Cloonan
Athenry fullback Diarmuid Cloonan will find out today if he will be free to play in the All-Ireland club hurling final against James Stephens on St Patrick's Day.
The towering Galway defender, who was sent off in the semi-final win over Toomevara, appeared before the Games Administration Committee meeting at Croke Park last night.
A spokesperson for the Athenry club said they had made a strong case for the 25-year-old to be dealt with leniently and they hope he will receive the minimum one-month suspension.
Croke Park will inform Cloonan today of the level of suspension handed down by the GAC following last night's hearing.
Two in for Monaghan
Monaghan make two changes from the team that drew with Clare for Sunday's NFL encounter with Fermanagh in Scotstown. Mark Daly comes in as a direct replacement for the injured Dick Clerkin and Paul Finlay gets his first league start at the expense of John Paul Mone.
"Dick Clerkin's injury is a major blow and not just for Sunday's game as it will rule him out for the next couple of matches," said team manager Séamus McEneaney. "James McElroy is still doubtful with a calf injury even though I have named him, but he will have a fitness check before the game."
Sligo hit hard
Sligo footballers have been hit by a number of injuries ahead of Sunday's league game against Galway in Tuam. Brian Curran (hamstring), David Colleary (ankle), Michael Munds (foot) and Dessie Sloyan (stomach muscle) are in a race against time to be fit.
Dom Corrigan hopes to name the side after training tonight.
Offaly make changes
The Offaly team to meet Tyrone in Division One A in Omagh on Sunday shows three changes to the side which lost to Kerry last time out. The goalkeeping position will be filled by Padraig Kelly who takes over from Colin McNamara, while Cathal Daly figures at centre back in his first appearance of the season. Joe Quinn, a sub against Kerry, retains his position at centre forward. The players omitted are James Keane and John Kenny.
Double for IT Sligo
IT Sligo handballers Joseph McCann and Damien Martin have won the United States Collegiates Men's Open doubles title at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Last year, IT Sligo became the first Irish third level college to win the trophy.
NFL TEAMS
MONAGHAN (v Fermanagh): S Duffy, G McQuaid, J Coyle, C Flanagan, D Freeman, R Ronaghan, J Ward, J McElroy, M Daly, D McArdle, P Finlay, S Gollogly, T Freeman, F Duffy, R Woods.
TIPPERARY (v Meath): P. Fitzgerald; Damien Byrne, N Curran, P King; P Morrissey, B Lacey, C Maher; F O'Callaghan, E Hanrahan; G Burke, P Foley, P Cahill; I Barnes, D Browne, David Byrne.
MAYO (v Cork): D Clarke; L O'Malley, D Heaney, K Higgins; P Kelly, J Nallen, P Gardiner; M Moyles, BJ Padden; J Gill, C McDonald, A Kilcoyne; C Mortimer, A Dillon, J Prenty.
CAVAN (v Derry): J Reilly; M Hannon, C Hannon, K Fannin; P Brady, P Reilly, K Crotty; P Brady, N Walsh; M McKeever, AN Other, L Reilly; AN Other, J Reilly, A Forde.
DERRY (v Cavan): Barry Gillis; K McGuckin, N McCusker, G Okane; F McEldowney, P Wilson, P Kelly; F Doherty, J McBride; P Murphy, C Gilligan, M Lynch; Paul Bradley, Paddy Bradley, P McFlynn.
OFFALY (v Tyrone): P Kelly; N Grennan, C Evans, S Brady; B Mooney, C Daly, K Slattery; C McManus, A McNamee; N Coughlan, J Quinn, J Reynolds; C Quinn, N McNamee, J Coughlan.
