’Keeper Reidy calls time on Kerry

GOALKEEPER Ger Reidy has sensationally quit the Kerry football squad to concentrate on his studies.

The Castleisland Desmonds clubman began the season as favourite to become the Kingdom’s number one following the retirement of Diarmuid Murphy.

Reidy, was understudy to the Dingle man last season, impressing in a number of league outings this time last year.

He played in the county’s 2010 NFL opener against Dublin but management preferred Kilcummin’s Brendan Kealy in the games against Cork and Derry.

However, Reidy insists his decision is not related to his non selection but was due to increased college commitments.

Meanwhile Sean Cavanagh is primed to make his first appearance of the season in Saturday’s make-or-break NFL clash with Cork at Healy Park.

The former ‘Footballer of the Year’ has fully recovered following ankle surgery, and has got three club games under his belt, playing for Moy in the Ulster League.

Cavanagh is unlikely to start against the Rebels, but is almost certain to be among the subs.

“He certainly would be in the reckoning somewhere for the Cork game, I’m sure not to be starting but at least available,” said Harte.

But Clan na nGael pair Brian Dooher and Stephen O’Neill are still some way off fitness.

Meanwhile Kevin Dyas faces up to a month on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder in the first half of Armagh’s dramatic victory over Laois last Saturday.

Injuries had dogged Dyas’ attempts to establish himself during his two-year stint with Aussie Rules side, Collingwood.

There was better news for O’Rourke in the fact that Ronan Clarke made his first start of the year against the O’Moores and lasted 62 minutes before finally being substituted.

Timmy Hammersley’s brilliant form for Waterford IT in the Fitzgibbon Cup has earned him a call-up to the Tipperary senior hurling panel.

Hammersley, a member of Tipp’s U21 panel last year, linked up with the senior squad in Thurles last night for the first time after accepting an invitation from manager Liam Sheedy.

Hammersley posted some magnificent individual totals during the Fitzgibbon Cup campaign and his impressive displays caught Sheedy’s eye.

Earlier this year, the Clonoulty-Rossmore clubman scored four points for WIT in the Waterford Crystal Cup against Clare before producing his best form during the prestigious Fitzgibbon Cup.

Having notched 1-7 against GMIT in the group stages, Hammersley followed up with 0-13 against UCC as former champions WIT advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition.

A seven-point haul against DIT ensured that WIT would be present at finals weekend in Galway and the corner forward hit a massive 1-13 against UL in the semi-final before adding 1-11 as WIT lost out to NUIG in the final.

Current Wexford boss Colm Bonnar, who is also in charge of the Waterford IT hurlers, said: “Timmy’s performances this year carried the WIT team. Looking back through all the games, he scored nearly all of our totals, bar two or three points in every game.

“Timmy was in there with the Tipp U21s last year and couldn’t make the team but he does enjoy the Fitzgibbon Cup and it brings the best out of him.

“He knows he’s a leader and that encourages him to play to his potential.”

The GAA has announced that the special ticket price offer for the AIB Club Championship finals has been extended until midnight on March 16. Tickets for children cost €5, while adult tickets are priced at €15.

Tickets are available from www.gaa.ie, ticketmaster outlets nationwide, Dublin Tourism Suffolk street, Elverys Store O’Connell Street, Centra Dame Street.