Earley continues inter-county return

Kildare star Dermot Earley will continue his return to inter-county action tonight in the low-key arena of the Leinster junior championship when the Lilywhites face Kilkenny in a quarter-final tie in St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge at 7.30pm.

Earley made his first start in county colours since the 2010 All-Ireland semi-final when lining out at midfield for the side earlier this month in their opening round success over Louth and managed to contribute two points.

The Sarsfields man was sidelined last season with cruciate ligament damage.

Despite his club participating in the Kildare senior county championship, Earley is eligible to line out at junior level on the inter-county stage this year due to the fact that he did not play at senior club championship level in 2011.

With Kildare not due to make their seasonal provincial championship bow until June 17 when they face a quarter-final meeting against Offaly at Croke Park, this will be another step on Earley’s road to featuring at senior level once more.