Galway expect Donnellan to be fit for Roscommon game

MICHAEL DONNELLAN is expected to be fit to return to the Galway football team for next Sunday’s Connacht championship game against Roscommon in Pearse Stadium.

Manager John O’Mahony confirmed this yesterday, dismissing speculation that he had been ruled out of contention after injuring his ankle over the week-end. He said that Donnellan had a slight problem after hurting his ankle in a practice game during training on Saturday.

Hurler Alan Kerins also injured his ankle in the game, but subsequent x-rays on both players revealed that no bones had been broke.

O’Mahony explained that Donnellan was fully clear of his original (groin) injury: “We’re delighted to have him back, naturally.’’

The team is expected to be finalised on Wednesday night and there has been speculation that Donnellan could be picked at centre-back.

However, other than acknowledging that he has experience of the position with his club, he declined to speculate on which position he will occupy.

Meanwhile, on the hurling front, Mullinahone defender Paul Curran may be in line for a dramatic promotion to the Tipperary team for Sunday’s glamour Guinness Munster hurling championship game against Clare in Pairc Uí Chaoimh. This follows the dramatic loss of Philip Maher, who had surgery last week on the knee he injured early in the league final against Kilkenny in Croke Park.

Curran played at full-back on the Tipp Under-21 team for the last two seasons and is highly rated. Earlier in the year it was thought that he would be unavailable for selection because of examination commitments.

Right corner-back Martin Maher, his cousin, has been recovering from a leg injury he picked up in the league decider, but there is concern over the fitness of Noel Morris, who was also forced off in Croke Park with a hip problem. The management are also worried about the availability of wing-back Eamonn Corcoran, who hasn’t played since he was sent off against Galway, reportedly on the word of the fourth official. His case is due to be finalised by the GAC at their meeting tomorrow night.

Clare expect to have James O’Connor back in action, after he lined out in a challenge against Limerick last week. Conor Plunkett and David Hoey are believed to be in contention for the right half-back position, while there is speculation that team captain Sean McMahon’s first cousin, Diarmuid, could be picked alongside Colin Lynch at midfield. Alternatively, either Tony Griffin or John Reddan could be chosen there. Griffin seems certain be picked one way or another and the belief is that only one position in the attack is in doubt, resting between Barry Murphy, Daithi O’Connell and Brian Quinn’s younger brother Andrew.