Crowley struggling to be fit for big semi-final showdown with Cork

FULL-FORWARD John Crowley is struggling to be fit for Sunday’s Munster football semi-final showdown with Cork in Killarney.

Crowley’s knee injury, sustained in the first round victory in Ennis, is more serious than thought, and could keep him out of the starting line up.

The medial ligament strain has kept him out of training since the Ennis game, and he only resumed light training at the weekend.

In Crowley’s absence, nominated Kerry captain Dara Ó Cinnéide could be drafted into the full forward line. Alternatively, Declan O’Sullivan could switch from centre to full forward, with Liam Hassett coming into the starting line up.

However Kerry manager Jack O’Connor is hopeful that Crowley will play some part in the Fitzgerald Stadium meeting.

“John took part in football and it looks promising enough for him. Tomas Ó Sé turned on his ankle but he should be back training tomorrow night. Outside of that we are pretty injury free,” O’Connor said yesterday.

Meanwhile Cork defender Anthony Lynch is still battling to be fit for Sunday’s decider. He is still being treated for a serious collarbone injury.

Meanwhile, Cork’s hurling management still believe that John Gardiner has time on his side in the race to be fit for the Munster final against Waterford on June 27.

Gardiner suffered a suspected broken bone in the back of his hand during a puck around with Cork’s U-21’s on Friday night.

“I’ll probably be there or thereabouts but it does not look good at the moment,” he admitted yesterday.

However, management feel that the Na Piarsaigh youngster still has time to recover, and will give him every opportunity to make the starting side.

In his absence, Cork could push Grenagh’s Tom Kenny into midfield, but will probably move Jerry O’Connor back to partner Mickey O’Connell, and shuffle the attack instead.

Gardiner will be a huge loss also for Cork’s U-21’s who meet Clare in the Munster Championship on Wednesday night.