GALWAY defender Gerry Keane has failed to win his battle with an achilles tendon injury and has been omitted from the team to meet Wexford in Sunday's National Hurling League semi final at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.
Keane's last match for Galway came in their penultimate Division One encounter with Waterford last month, but he was forced to miss the subsequent match with Kerry where victory ensured Galway's position at the top of the table and despite intensive treatment in the interim, he will also have to sit out Sunday's clash. Gerry McInerney will continue in a corner backs role in Keane's absence.
The Galway selectors have, in fact, made three changes from the side that overcame Kerry quite comfortably. Morgan Darcy comes in to replace Kevin Devine as goalkeeper, Paul Cooney is named at full back where he is flanked by McInerney and Tom Helebert at the expense of Brendan Feeney, while Liam Burke takes over from Padraig Kelly at corner forward as Galway seek to take another step in their quest of a first National League title since 1989.
Joe Cooney is at full forward with Kevin Broderick moved from wing forward into the corner and the free scoring Frank Forde positioned at left corner forward.
Wexford midfielder Adrian Fenlon, meanwhile, is "hopeful" he will overcome the hamstring strain that threatens his participation in the match, although a final decision on his fitness could be left until as late as Saturday.
"I would hate to miss this one," said Fenlon. "I pulled the hamstring last weekend, but the trouble was that I didn't realise the extent of the injury until the following morning. I have been receiving treatment for it since then and I am hopeful, rather confident, of being able to play.
"This is not the first hamstring injury I have had," added Fenlon. "It hit me last year and also the previous season. With this one, I would be fine jogging, but the problem comes when I try to sprint and for a match like this you have to be right. Hopefully, with an extra few days of treatment, I will be able to play.
"There is no way I want to miss this match especially after the way we beat Offaly in the quarter finals. That was a big win for us and it would be great if we could continue the momentum and beat Galway on Sunday, although, to be honest, the championship (against Kilkenny on June 2nd) is what we have been really working towards," he said.
Laois defender Cyril Duggan is also hampered by a hamstring injury in the run up to their semifinal encounter with Tipperary at Nowlan Park, but it is expected he will be able to take his place in the side where his task will be to marshall Tipperary forward Nicky English, making his first competitive appearance since last June's Munster championship semi final defeat to Limerick.
Down who meet Armagh in the Dr McKenna Cup senior football final at Clones on Sunday look set to welcome former All Star Greg Blaney back to the fold next week.
Blaney, who missed Down's disastrous National League campaign, which saw them relegated to Division Three next season, has informed manager Pete McGrath he is ready to resume training after long term injury. He is expected to rejoin the squad next week. However, with barely a month to go before their May 26th Ulster Championship match with National League finalists Donegal, it is unlikely the attacker will be part of Down's plans for that particular encounter.
Down have had other injury worries in the run up to Sunday's final with Ross Carr (groin), Ger Golgan, Cathal Murray and Conor Deegan (all hamstring) receiving treatment, while Armagh attackers Des Macken (ankle ligaments) and Diarmuid Marsden (hamstring) have also been on the treatment table.
