No fresh injury worries for Kerry or Cork

BRYAN SHEEHAN apart, Kerry report no injury worries ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Munster champions Cork.

Sheehan damaged ankle ligaments playing for South Kerry U21s and is out for a month. Mike Frank Russell was the side’s only concern after the Armagh victory with swollen ankles. However, he has since returned to full training.

Cork, who had a very intensive training session at the weekend, are injury free. Few changes, if any are expected from the side which started against Donegal when the team is announced tonight after training.

“Everyone is fit and raring to go,” said selector Jim Nolan.

“This will be the fourth meeting between the sides this year and what has gone on before will have no bearing on how Sunday will go. It will be very much a case of ‘all on the day’,” he said.

Meanwhile, the replay of the quarter-final between Mayo and Laois has been fixed for Croke Park on Sunday and will form part of a triple header.

Kerry and Donegal will opening proceedings at 12.30pm in the first of the minor semi-final; the senior replay between Laois and Mayo has a 2pm start and will be followed by the Cork/Kerry senior semi-final at 4pm.

The second minor semi-final between Roscommon and Meath has been put back a week to August 27 (12.30pm) and will also form part of a triple header involving Louth and Leitrim in the Tommy Murphy Cup final at 2pm, and the second senior semi-final between Dublin and the winners of the Mayo/Laois tie, at 4pm.

Mayo have received a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s replay with Laois with the news that Ronan McGarrity is likely to be fit to play.

The big midfielder was forced off during the drawn game with a leg injury but subsequent tests revealed nothing very serious and he is likely to start again.

Another Mayo midfielder on the mend is David Brady, and he may be able to play a part in next Sunday’s replay.

However, the news on Liam O’Malley, James Gill and Trevor Mortimer is not as good although county PRO Noelle Horan said all three should benefit from the extra week’s treatment.

“We’ll know more about the lads later in the week but it’s not looking too good for them right now,” she said.

All the Laois players came through the game unscathed and according to county PRO Marcella Daly, are looking forward to the replay.

“Some of our supporters I’ve talked to are of the view that we blew our chance on Sunday, but I certainly wouldn’t subscribe to that,” said Daly.

“It’s still all to play for and with no injury worries, I would be confident we can advance to a semi-final spot for the first time since 1936,” she added.

Kerry minors, who play Donegal is the first of the All-Ireland semi-finals, are injury free and are likely to start the same 15 which defeated Mayo in the quarter-final.

Team coach John Kennedy said apart from seeing them in the Ulster final, there is nothing else to go on as this will be the first meeting between the counties at this level.

“Playing in Croke Park for the first time can be a huge ordeal for minor players,” said John, “and a lot will depend on how well we adapt to the situation.

“Donegal looked a very good side when we saw them play in the provincial final and, after beating Offaly in the All-Ireland quarter-final, after extra time, it’s going to be very difficult for us to get the better of them”, he said.