GAA: Shock return for Ryan

Wexford senior hurling captain, Darragh Ryan, could make a shock return to the football scene this weekend.

Ryan could end his exile from the inter-county scene, influenced by his hurling commitments, by becoming available for Wexford’s replay with Westmeath in the All-Ireland qualifiers on Saturday evening next.

While his commitment last October was to the hurlers it now looks likely that he may accede to a request from the football management to make himself available in face of the plight facing them for the replay.

Two players who helped fashion a marvellous draw with Westmeath last Saturday evening are unavailable, Robert Mageean , gone to America for the Summer, and Thomas Howlin, who received a straight red card in that game.

Meanwhile given the fact that Ryan is a topclass dual player, and having helped his club St Anne’s to both county senior titles last year, the football management see his return as an ideal boost, to help replace the missing duo.

Both hurling and football camps are remaining closely guarded as to the outcome of the Ryan approach, but it’s known that senior hurling Manager, Tony Dempsey, is not adverse to the player becoming available.

Ryan, who will captain Wexford in their first Leinster final since ’97 in three weeks time, would be making his first football championship appearance in three years should he become available.

Now the football management are keeping their fingers crossed that Ryan will accede to their request which would be a tremendous boost to their prospects of remaining in the championship race.