Galvin returns to Kerry training

KERRY captain Paul Galvin last night returned to his first county training since being controversially dismissed against Clare on June 15.

Galvin was handed a six months ban for slapping the notebook from referee Paddy Russell’s hands in the Kingdom’s opening game of the Munster Championship at Fitzgerald Stadium — which hosted last night’s session.

The Finuge man appealed the severity of the suspension and though the punishment was halved the former All Star has been unable to partake in any gatherings with Pat O’Shea’s three-in-a-row chasing squad until after midnight last Saturday night when his 12-week ban ended.

The return of Galvin ahead of the All-Ireland final against Tyrone created huge public interest and a crowd of approximately 600 supporters was at Fitzgerald Stadium for the session.

Galvin played in his customary half forward role and was marked by Killian Young. According to one source he, ‘‘looked a little rusty as you would expect. But he appears to have a decent level of fitness, he scored a few points and was moving well’’.

The squad played a match with one side wearing the county colours while the other team, which included Galvin, wore the full kit of their final opponent’s Tyrone. However Kieran Donaghy played no role in the session as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in the replay victory over Cork. But Kerry bosses are confident he will be fit for the September 21 final against Mickey Harte’s side.

Meanwhile Westmeath County Board chairman Tom Farrell has confirmed his Board will investigate a melee which occurred at the end of Sunday night’s senior football championship clash between Tyrrellspass and Mullingar Shamrocks.

A late goal from county star Martin Flanagan gave Tyrrellspass a dramatic 3-4 to 1-8 victory and sent Shamrocks crashing out of the championship.

But subsequent to that score, players, substitutes and officials became involved in a mass brawl which lasted a number of minutes before referee Peter Daly blew the final whistle.

Said Farrell: “I wasn’t at the match as I am in American on a family holiday. However we will deal with it in the appropriate way after getting the referee’s report. I can’t say much more that.”