Keaney may not return next year

DUBLIN’S Conal Keaney admits he faces a battle to return to hurling in 2012.

Keaney damaged cartilage and lateral knee ligaments when his motorcycle collided with a van last July.

The injury ruled him out of the All-Ireland quarter-final win over Limerick and the semi-final defeat to Tipperary along with Ballyboden St Enda’s run to their fifth consecutive Dublin SHC title.