Lynch expected to face 12 weeks out

HUGH LYNCH’S knee injury which rules him out of this evening’s All-Ireland qualifier against Meath is not believed to be a cruciate problem.

Initial diagnosis indicate the Kildare midfielder has ruptured his lateral ligament. However, the injury is likely to keep him out for 10 to 12 weeks, virtually ending his championship. “He’s in bits,” said Kildare selector Niall Carew. “It’s a massive setback.”

Fit-again Darryl Flynn is now expected to come into the team to partner John Doyle at midfield.

Meanwhile, the game in Navan this evening was set to sell-out last night as the GAA has reduced capacity of Páirc Tailteann from 28,000 to 20,000. The GAA yesterday confirmed the second round qualifier replay between Wicklow and Armagh at Aughrim is sold out.

Both Dr Hyde Park and St Tiernach’s Park are also expected to be close to full capacity for tomorrow’s Connacht and Ulster SFC finals.

l Tyrone were yesterday continuing to make attempts at convincing Eoin Mulligan to return to the panel after he quit earlier in the week.