Crowley doubtful for clash with Cork

JOHN CROWLEY says that it will be “touch and go” whether he can play against Cork in the Bank of Ireland Munster football championship semi-final in Killarney on June 13.

Making an impressive return to form in the League final win over Galway when he scored two goals the Kerry star lasted just over 20 minutes in last weekend's opening championship victory over Clare in Ennis after suffering knee ligament damage.

"I'm hoping that I might be able to do a bit of jogging by the end of the week,'' he said yesterday. "Walking is fine, but it's slow to turn.''

Crowley will receive intensive physiotherapy treatment over the next fortnight and will also spend time swimming in a bid to get over the injury. Coming after a slow start to the year when he was recovering from an ankle problem, the Cork-based garda admitted that it was all a bit frustrating. "It's the wrong time to be getting injured when you're getting into the 'real stuff,'" he added.

The Cork management are not without their injury worries either, although they are described "more as medium, than long-term." Among those who are receiving treatment are Philip Clifford, Fionán Murray, Derek Kavanagh, Kevin McMahon and Nicholas Murphy. McMahon is considered a doubtful starter for Carbery Rangers in their All-Ireland junior club final on Sunday.

All-Ireland champions Tyrone are again in the wars after a run of bad luck over the weekend, which saw Enda McGinley break a bone in his hand in training on Saturday and team captain Brian Dooher suffer a knee injury in a club game on Monday night. As a result, both players have been ruled out for Sunday week's Ulster championship game against Fermanagh.

Utility player Gerard Cavlan is considered a doubtful for the game because of a hamstring problem.

Manager Micky Harte said yesterday that while Dooher's injury was related to a medial ligament strain, they weren't a 100% sure of the extent of it. "But he will certainly miss the Fermanagh match and it looks like he will be out for a minimum of four weeks.''

Harte disclosed that the management had not yet given consideration to who will captain the team in Dooher's absence given that he had been appointed vice-captain when Cormac McAnallen was chosen as captain.

Peter Canavan, meanwhile, is said to be on course for a return to competitive action by mid-June. "Thankfully, we see no reason why he should not be available by then. It would be too soon to play him on June 6, but two weeks later if we are successful he should be in contention,'' he said.