Galvin in race against time to be fit for Munster final

PAUL GALVIN is a major doubt for Kerry’s Munster final against Cork on July 3 after pulling up with a recurrence of a hamstring injury in training on Thursday night.

The 2009 footballer of the year hobbled off for treatment after damaging the same hamstring he injured in the Kingdom’s final Allianz Division 1 game against Down.

As he recovered from that setback, Galvin featured as a second-half substitute in Kerry’s Munster SFC wins over Tipperary and Limerick. However, he had been expected to be in contention for a starting place in Fitzgerald Stadium tomorrow fortnight.

However, Thursday’s setback is the latest in a number of injuries which have blighted Galvin’s career over the last 18 months. A persistent ankle injury prevented him from starting either of last year’s Munster semi-final games against Cork. Last November, Galvin underwent surgery on his hip that sidelined him until mid-March.

However, there was some good news for Kerry manager Jack O’Connor with midfielder Seamus Scanlon returning to training after a health scare.

Scanlon, who had to retire after taking a blow to the head after only 26 minutes of Kerry’s opener against Tipperary, was found to have a benign cyst in his neck that will in time require surgery.

The Currow midfielder is expected to figure when Kerry face Laois tomorrow in a challenge game in Limerick.

Meanwhile, Donegal captain Michael Murphy has been cleared to play in tomorrow week’s Ulster semi-final with Tyrone after having his straight card against Cavan rescinded.

The GAA’s Central Hearing Committee (CHC) yesterday confirmed the Glenswilly man was wrongly sent off by referee Marty Duffy for “behaving in any way which is dangerous to an opponent” (Cavan’s Damien Reilly).

The CHC “found that the evidence presented disclosed an infraction but one less serious than that alleged, that is to say, ‘To charge an opponent who is not in possession of the ball’“.

However, Meath’s Brian Farrell didn’t earn a reprieve from his four-week ban for a straight red card in the Leinster quarter-final defeat to Kildare.

The CHC upheld the suspension on the basis of evidence presented by the Central Competitions Control Committee supported the referee’s report that the Meath substitute did strike Kildare’s Emmet Bolton with his hand.

As a result, Farrell will be unavailable to Seamus McEnaney for next Saturday’s much-anticipated All-Ireland round one qualifier against Louth. Farrell complained about the decision on Twitter: “Attended appeal on red card. It’s not been overturned, “as it is probable the offence occurred“.. absolutely ragin!”

The CHC also found Monaghan captain Dick Clerkin should not have been sent off for a second cautionable infraction for an incident with Seán Cavanagh.