McCrabbe hopeful of Fallon return

Dublin forward Alan McCrabbe today said he is hopeful that key star Ronan Fallon can make a speedy recovery ahead of the Blues' Leinster SHC opener against Antrim on June 7.

"I played for the first half (against Cork) but came off with a bit of a tummy bug at half-time. We were without nine players, but they were a full strength team and played at Championship pace and I suppose it was a bit of a wake-up call for us," said McCrabbe.

The Craobh Chiarain clubman picked up the Opel/GPA Hurler of the Month award for April this morning and says that Fallon is set to make a return to training next week, having picked up an injury in Dublin's slender loss to Kilkenny in the National League.

"Ronan is a very big player for us at centre-back - the heart of our defence.

"It will be a big blow if he doesn't make it back. He's going back training next week and probably running on it so hopefully he'll be there," McCrabbe said.

Defender Tomas Brady and Kilmacud Crokes clubman Ross O'Carroll are also on the Dubs' injury list but McCrabbe is hopeful that the duo can make a speedy return ahead of the Croke Park clash with Antrim.

"We are missing five or six players but the strength in depth is in the squad this year that people can step in and fill lads boots but it would be great to have lads back like Tomas Brady and Ross O'Carroll available.

"They are struggling with hamstring problems but hopefully they will be back before June 7."

O'Carroll has yet to feature for his club this season while he made regular appearance in the National League before tearing his hamstring in the build-up to Dublin's visit to Nowlan Park to take on All-Ireland champions Kilkenny.