Treacy out for Dubs and O’Callaghan doubtful

DUBLIN attacker David Treacy has been ruled out of next Sunday’s Leinster SHC quarter-final against Laois with a hamstring injury while David O’Callaghan is rated ‘40/60 against’ to prove his fitness in time for the Nowlan Park clash.

Both Peter Kelly and Tomás Brady have recovered from recent injuries and are set to start, but Treacy will be sidelined and if Dublin are successful, the Cuala man is also likely to miss the Leinster SHC semi-final against Kilkenny on June 20th. Having suffered the injury in the NHL game against Galway, Treacy suffered a relapse in a recent internal challenge in which he lined out for the Dublin U21’s against the seniors and also faces a race against time to play some part in the U21’s Leinster opener against Offaly or Kilkenny on June 23.

The prognosis on O’Callaghan is slightly more positive and he will receive regular physio treatment during the week.

Meanwhile Derry sharpshooter Paddy Bradley has revealed he will retire from inter-county football after this year’s championship. The 29-year-old’s decision means he will retire without winning a provincial medal with Derry’s involvement in this year’s Ulster championship already at an end. However, the 2007 All-Star, who made his championship debut against Cavan in 2000, says he is determined to “go out with a bang”.

“I honestly feel that I have given good service to the county over the 11 years and that I have given my all every time I played for the county. But I want to go out with a bang. On our day, I believe that we are a match for any side. I really believe that at the top of our game, we could beat a Cork or a Kerry.

“We tend to play well in Croke Park in the big open spaces, but it’s getting through the packed defences that you have to get past there that trips us up.”

Meanwhile Louth attacker Shane Lennon is set to be ruled out of action for six to eight weeks after breaking a tendon in his hand. A scan has revealed the injury the Kilkerley clubman has suffered and he will thus miss next Saturday’s Leinster SFC quarter-final against Kildare in Navan. Lennon, who scored a goal in Louth’s opening round 1-11 to 1-7 win over Longford, sustained the injury towards the end of that game and will undergo an operation next Tuesday.