Kearns, Whelahan to duel on player row

LIMERICK football manager Liam Kearns and his hurling counterpart Padjoe Whelahan are to meet to resolve the row over dual players.

Last week, the former Birr boss demanded full commitment to hurling from all in his squad.

Kearns has been forced to delay naming his team to play Waterford in the McGrath Cup semi-final until the matter which affects Stephen Lucey, Mark Keane, Mark O’Riordan, Conor Fitzgerald, Brian Begley and Mike O’Brien can be resolved.

The chairman of the Limerick County Board Pat Fitzgerald is keen to resolve the issue before the commencement of the Allianz leagues, especially as the county footballers are playing in Division One for the first time.

The issues of dual players has long been a problem on Shannonside. Two years ago, then hurling manager Eamonn Cregan threatened to quit because of the issue.

Meanwhile former Footballer of the Year Trevor Giles is set to make a return to training in the coming weeks, according to Meath manager Sean Boylan. Giles was present as a supporter for Sunday’s facile O’Byrne Cup win over Longford and Boylan is eyeing a quick comeback for the influential forward.

The Skryne physio suffered a groin strain in a club game that ruled him out of last October’s International Rules campaign and has been sidelined since.

Boylan said: “Trevor is doing good and hoping to be back in training within a couple of weeks. He’s still troubled by the injury he got before the Australian trip but we’re a lot more hopeful now about him.”

Meath are expected to name their side to face Offaly in the O’Byrne Cup semi-final tonight with rising star Joe Sheridan set to continue with the free-taking duties in the absence of Giles.

Rising stars Brian Farrell and Tom O’Connor are likely to start again with possible returns for Darren Fay and Daithí Regan.

Laois hurling has received a real boost in that the Cuddy brothers will be available for the NHL.

While manager Paidi Butler has still to finalise his squad the availability of both David and Paul Cuddy could be the incentive the side needs to build on last year’s progress.

Colm McCullagh’s sparkling display against Derry has earned him a starting slot for Tyrone’s Dr McKenna Cup clash with Antrim on Sunday.

And if the Omagh Town captain turns in another impressive showing at Casement Park, he is almost certain to be faced with the most difficult sporting choice of his career.

Manager Mickey Harte has already stated that McCullagh could be a major asset to his squad this season, but the prospect of combining Irish League soccer with top level Gaelic football is out of the question.

McCullagh, who scored two points after coming off the bench at Healy Park last weekend, replaces Frank McGuigan at right corner forward.

And amid all the bleak injury talk surrounding the All-Ireland champions’ camp this week, there’s positive news on Enda McGinley.

McGinley, who sustained a serious neck injury in the All-Ireland final last September, has started training again, and is listed in the subs for Sunday’s game.

TYRONE v Antrim: P McConnell, R McMenamin, C Gormley, M McGee, C Holmes, G Devlin, C Gourley, K Hughes, G Cavlan, M Coleman, B McGuigan, S O’Neill, C McCullagh, O Mulligan, S Mulgrew.