Donaghy faces race for fitness

Kieran Donaghy is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for Kerry's Munster SFC semi-final clash against either Clare or Waterford on June 3.

Donaghy was the hero of 2006 as the Kingdom lifted the Sam Maguire cup but 'Star', as the Tralee man is nicknamed by his colleagues, is itching for a return, having injured his shoulder back in March in a league game against Donegal.

"I dislocated an AC joint in my shoulder," said Donaghy. "I dislocated it when I was contesting a ball and I knew when I went down for it that I was going to get hit.

"I was just unfortunate the way it happened.

"With the AC joint from what I have been told by John O'Keefe, who had problems with his before, it isn't like a ball and socket joint. He said he was sore for a while but fine after a few months."

However Donaghy feels that good progress is being made.

"My body is coming along good at the moment. It's slow enough progress and it is something which you have to be patient with. It's an injury where you are testing it but you don't want to test it too much because it might set you back. I'm getting there and the injury is coming along to plan.

"The medics said eight to ten weeks and I'm in my seventh week now. I'm back running and I'm back hand passing and kicking but I still have a lot to do towards contact yet.

"The Austin Stacks player is anticipating a quick comeback and hopes to be ready in time for the Munster semi-final.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to training - maybe a week or two before the game - to get a bit of ball work done, get used to the flight of the ball and get some runs done. I haven't got under a ball in two months now so it is just a matter of getting used to all of these things again."

Donaghy is one of a host of GAA players who have joined together with international superstars to wear the new Adidas F50 Tunit 2 boot which allows players to change their boots to suit their game, the pitch and the seasons.