Stokes out of Limerick clash with Wexford

THE highly competitive nature of the National Football League is taking its toll with many players injured.

Jason Stokes is out of the Limerick team for Sunday’s home tie with Wexford after breaking a toe in the win over Cavan as the Shannonsiders bid to maintain their run.

Team coach Liam Kearns says Diarmuid Sheehy is two weeks away from full fitness, but is expecting to have most of his injured players back for the Galway game in three weeks.

Wexford’s chances have been dealt a blow. They will be without Willie Carley for the next six weeks. The big midfielder had an operation on a broken cheek bone and Wexford will feel his loss as they look to build on recent excellent form.

John Hudson, who dislocated a finger in the game, Niall Murphy who received two yellow cards, and David Murphy, back from suspension, will be available.

Galway will be without Derek Mullahy for their away game to Sligo after being stretchered off last Sunday with a leg injury. John O’Mahony must also plan without Caltra players Declan, Tomas, Noel and Michael Meehan due to their All-Ireland club semi-final on February 22.

Gary McGowan is out of the Sligo team after breaking his collar bone against Laois, but team coach James Kerins will have Nigel Clancy and Paddy Doohan back from injury.

Eamon O’Hara has a slight groin strain. Sligo’s last victory over Galway was in the Connacht final of 1974 Longford, enjoying their best ever start to the league, will be without the injured Paddy Dowd for the visit of champions Tyrone to Pearse Park. They will also be without Cathal Conefrey who received a straight red in the win over Westmeath.

Westmeath, already in danger of relegation, will be without the suspended Rory O’Connell for the trip to Fermanagh, but Dessie Dolan is expected to get the nod for the Enniskillen game.

High-flying Tipperary, with three points out of a possible four, welcome back Kevin Mulryan and Paul Cahill for the game against Kildare in Newbridge.

Mulryan missed last Sunday’s win over Waterford because of flu, while Cahill was club-tied with Grangemocker, playing in the Munster intermediate championship.

Meath will be without Shane Mc Keigue for their home game with Cavan. He received a straight red last Sunday against Wexford. On a more positive note, Ollie Murphy came through a challenge game against St Brigid’s on Monday night in Senechalstown.

However, Sean Boylan said both Murphy and Trevor Giles, who is also back in training, won’t be considered for the Cavan match due to lack of match practice.

While the alarm bells have not gone off in Laois yet, Mick O’Dwyer agrees his team is beginning to struggle.

“I’m not unduly worried, but we must start winning if we are to stay in the division”, he said.

Beano McDonald, Ross Munnelly, Gary Kavanagh, Joe Higgins, Ian Fitzgerald and Barry Brennan are all on the injured list. However, O’Dwyer is confident he will have a full squad to pick from for the game against Armagh in Crossmaglen.