Meehan to miss rest of National League

NEWS ROUND-UP:FEARS THAT Galway forward Michael Meehan may have suffered the dreaded knee cruciate ligament injury were finally allayed last night and, although he will still miss the remainder of the National League, Meehan should be fit again in time for Galway's championship opener against New York on May 2nd.

Meehan underwent an MRI scan on his right knee yesterday in order to ascertain the exact nature of the injury sustained some 22 minutes into last Sunday’s heavy defeat to Kerry at Pearse Stadium.

The results of the scan revealed only a small tear to his medial ligament, plus bruising to the bone, which will now keep the 25-year-old sidelined for between four to six weeks.

However it means manager Joe Kernan is without his two top forwards for Sunday’s crunch meeting with Tyrone at Pearse Stadium, as Seán Armstrong is still facing another four to five weeks of recovery having sustained a hamstring tear against Cork.

Kernan has some 10 panel members carrying some injury or another, with the only real positive news being that veteran Declan Meehan is back training and available for selection.

Galway’s hurlers have also suffered an injury setback ahead of their clash with Offaly as forward Iarla Tannian is carrying a hand injury from last Sunday’s heavy 2-17 to 0-14 loss to Tipperary.

Tannian in fact missed most of last season with a serious knee injury, and it is feared the chipped bone in his hand could force him out of the remainder of the league.

Meanwhile, Wexford hurler Stephen Nolan is on his way to join up with Dublin “dual” champions, Ballyboden St Endas. Nolan is set to join up with his new colleagues this week but his transfer is a severe blow to Wexford town club, Faythe Harriers.

Nolan, who has had spells both in defence and attack for Wexford, took this year out from inter-county hurling owing to work commitments. Now based as a teacher in Dublin, the Wexford town player is the latest to take flight to Dublin.

The Ballylanders club in Limerick was announced as the winner of the special merit at the annual President’s Awards last night, one of 16 winners drawn from across the full spectrum of the wider GAA family, including representatives from all four provinces, camogie, women’s football, GAA rounders, GAA handball, scór and the overseas and schools sectors.

The Ballylanders club was rewarded for their 125 anniversary celebrations of the GAA, and were among those honoured by the GAA president Christy Cooney at a banquet in Croke Park yesterday evening. The winners will also be presented to the crowd at Croke Park at half-time in today’s club football final.

“Volunteers make a unique contribution to our association and underpin the community ethos that goes hand in hand with our activities across the country,” said Cooney of the awards, now in their seventh year.

“This year’s list is made up of dedicated and committed GAA members who work tirelessly in their chosen field and who have gone above and beyond – and continue to do so – the call of duty.”

2010 President’s Award Winners

Special 125 Award – BallylandersGAA Club, Co Limerick.

Munster – Paddy Fitzgerald, Dungarvan GAA Club, Co Waterford; Séamus Spaight, Meelick GAA Club, Co Clare.

Ulster – Jim McGiven, St Mary's GAA Club, Burren, Co Down; Patsy Forbes, O'Donovan Rossa GAA Club, Ardboe, Co Tyrone.

Connacht – Jarlath Connolly, Milltown GAA Club, Co Galway; Billy Horan, Ballinrobe GAA Club, Co Mayo.

Leinster – Tommy McLoughlin, Wolfe Tones GAA Club, Co Longford; Charlie McAllister, Newtown Blues GAA Club, Co Louth.

Camogie – Mary Donohue, Harps Camogie Club, Co Laois.

GAA Handball – Seán Clarke, Beragh Red Knight's GAA Club, Co Tyrone.

GAA Rounders – Christopher Hughes Snr, Limekiln Rounders GAA Club, Dublin.

Women's Football – Cathal Friel,Coolkenna GAA Club, Co Wicklow.

Schools – John Hughes, Geevagh GAA Club, Co Sligo.

Overseas – Joe Roarke, Tara GAA Club, Warkickshire.

Scór – Harry McEvoy, Carryduff GAC, Down.