Laois ace Sheehan faces fitness race

Half-forward Billy Sheehan could struggle to be fit in time for Laois' Leinster SFC semi-final against either Louth or Wexford on July 1.

Sheehan is facing a two week lay-off after injuring his hamstring whilst playing for Emo in the Laois club championship.

The former Kerry forward was used as a substitute in Laois' 0-14 to 0-9 quarter-final win against Longford at the start of the month.

Also on the Laois injury list are Tom Kelly, Gary Kavanagh, Aidan Fennelly and Barry Brennan.

But Laois boss Liam Kearns admitted: "Darren Rooney is fine now and we are hoping to have some of the others back for the semi-final.

"Training is going very well at the moment and everyone is happy enough - we gave the lads a week off to play with their clubs in the championship.

"We hope to have a few challenge matches before the semi-final but I don't have a clue where and when these matches will be on," he told the Laois Nationalist newspaper.

Laois trained on Tuesday and are also in action tonight as they gear up to take on the winners of Sunday's Croke Park curtain raiser between Louth and Wexford.