Kerins opts for Galway hurling panel
Peter Forde had been in talks with the dual player some months ago and the Galway boss confirmed Kerins’ decision yesterday in Dublin at the launch of the Bank of Ireland Football Championship.
“We talked a few months ago, but I don’t think it will happen,” said the Mayoman. “It’s not practical. Alan is doing a lot of charity work, he has the hurling and a physiotherapy practice as well. He has a lot on his plate.”
Kerins hasn’t played with the county footballers since the 2002 season but hit a rich vein of form with his club Sathill-Knocknacarra over the past 12 months, earning the accolade of Connacht Club Footballer of the Year on the way to his side’s All-Ireland final victory over St Gall’s of Antrim.
Kerins also won an All-Ireland medal with the county side in 2001, but he felt unable to give the commitment to Forde — who wanted him on board — this year.
His involvement with the county hurlers so far this season has already been compromised by his club football duties and his charitable work in Zambia.
Kerins was this week nominated for the Rehab Galway Person of the Year award for his charity work, which has seen over 250,000 raised for children in the African country.
Though the Clarinbridge hurler is out of the equation, there is better news for Forde in the shape of corner-back Damien Burke, who is expected to be fit for the Connacht championship game against Sligo at Pearse Stadium.
Burke had to retire injured towards the end of the National League final against Kerry two weekends ago but the prognosis is positive for the weeks ahead.
Dublin manager Paul Caffrey will find out tomorrow the extent of the wrist injury midfielder Darren Magee has picked up, but the outlook is not promising.
It is believed that the Kilmacud Crokes player has been carrying the injury since before the All-Ireland club semi-final against Salthill-Knocknacarra. The early indications are that the bone is broken, which would mean surgery and two months on the sidelines.
“Darren is going to see his orthopedic surgeon [tomorrow] and we’ll have to wait and see what comes of that,” said Caffrey yesterday.
Should his worst fears be realised, Magee would miss the opening championship clash against Longford in Pearse Park and a potential Leinster semi-final against Laois.
Magee isn’t Caffrey’s only concern ahead of their opening fixture. Captain Collie Moran has yet to kick a ball this season because of an ongoing groin problem, while defender Stephen O’Shaughnessy is again out of action because of a shoulder injury that has affected him on and off for the past five seasons.
“For Collie, it’s a big blow but he’s still a great leader around the place. He’s still involved and we’re just all hoping that his injury does clear up and gives him a chance to play this year. Stephen’s on a programme and we’ll see how he progresses over the next few weeks.”
The good news is that Senan Connell is well on the road to recovery, while Tomas Quinn is also fit again after a recent injury.
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