Kingdom star O’Mahony looking to the future
The Rathmore clubman last night claimed he was never in doubt that he would be exonerated after becoming the first GAA player to face the Association’s anti-doping tribunal due to usage of salbutamol for his asthma.
“It was a shock all right,” O’Mahony admitted to RTÉ last night. “I suppose the main thing was that at the back of my own mind was the fact that I was an asthmatic for 20 years. It wasn’t to enhance my performance. That was the one thing that kept my head clear the whole time. It wasn’t a thing that kept me up all night.
“I came back in early February and I suppose these things drive you on. The hunger is there again. It took a few weeks to settle down but it’s great to be back involved again. I’m 29 now and it’s nice to be going home three days a week.
Meanwhile, Tipperary defender Shane Maher faces a fitness test before the Premier team to meet Cork in Sunday’s Munster SHC clash at Semple Stadium, Thurles is named tomorrow night.
The Tipp left half back has a hamstring injury and is the Premier County’s only injury doubt.
Roscommon will be without star midfielder Seamus O’Neill for their opening game in the Connacht SFC against Leitrim at Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday.
O’Neill severely damaged a knee in the closing stages of the League and is expected to miss the entire championship as a result.
Doubts also surround David Casey (knee), Paul Gleeson (hamstring) and Cathal Craig (knee) all of whom are on the treatment table.
Half forward Michael Foley is a doubtful starter for Leitrim. He sustained a hand injury in training and is undergoing treatment.
Meath footballers have received a considerable boost for the Leinster Championship opener against Dublin, with four key players back from injury.
Defenders Seamus Kenny and Cormac McGuinness, midfielder Nigel Crawford and forward David Bray had been major worries for the glamour Croke Park clash on Sunday week.
Selector Robbie O’Malley said: “We had a very bad run with injuries a few weeks ago, but thankfully the four lads have made very good recoveries,” said team selector Robbie O’Malley.
“It would have been a huge blow to be without the four players, as, particularly against Dublin, you always need your strongest team out.”
O’Malley went on to reveal that there are no plans at the moment to recall former first-choice goalkeeper Brendan Murphy.
The Trim clubman dramatically quit the Royals last year to pursue a career in soccer with Eircom League outfit Longford Town, but he recently severed his links with the midland club.
O’Malley also disclosed that, contrary to rumours, former long-serving star Graham Geraghty won’t be part of the Meath set-up for the game against Dublin.
Laois football star Donie Brennan is unlikely to play any part in this year’s championship after being dropped off the panel by manager Sean Dempsey.
Brennan, who made his debut for Laois as a 17-year-old in 2004, was dropped last week for disciplinary reasons despite starting recent challenge games against Offaly and Antrim and coming on as a sub against Longford. He didn’t travel to Clare with the panel last weekend as they played the Banner county as part of a two-day training trip.
Brennan says it’s a “sickener” to be released from the panel so close to the championship. I don’t want to be dragged into it,” he said, “but I wouldn’t say I’ll be asked back in at this stage. I’ll be back full time now with Arles-Killeen and I’ll be giving them 100 per cent and hopefully we can win something this year.”
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