Griffin targeting club final return

DUBLIN manager Pat Gilroy believes last year’s captain Paul Griffin will return before the end of the Allianz Football League and, potentially, for an AIB All-Ireland Club final with Kilmacud Crokes.

Griffin hasn’t played since rupturing cruciate knee ligaments almost 12 months ago in the League against Monaghan.

Crokes manager Paddy Carr ruled the experienced defender out of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Crossmaglen, stating that the recovery had been slower than expected. But Gilroy revealed the player took part in a challenge game for Crokes on Monday night and came through unscathed.