Galway's preparations marred by injury concerns

Free-takers Joe Canning and Ger Farragher have been ruled out of the Galway team for Saturday's Leinster SHC opener against Westmeath in Mullingar.

Canning recently aggravated a troublesome hamstring injury and fellow former All-Star Farragher has a knee injury. They could yet feature as substitutes though.

"That's as much as we can hope for," admitted Galway manager John McIntyre. "Neither of them will start and we won't know until later in the week whether they will be able to tog out and be among the subs."

Both Canning and Farragher played for their clubs in the last week and McIntyre will want them as fit as possible for a likely semi-final clash with Dublin on June 18.

Alan Kerins, who was recently recalled to the panel, and Iarla Tannian (broken thumb) will sit out the quarter-final. Another key forward for the Tribesmen, Damien Hayes, is winning his battle with a knee injury, but Niall Donoghue (calf) is doubtful and David Collins (dead leg) and Eanna Ryan (hand) are also nursing knocks.

Ciaran O'Donovan, who fractured his shoulder blade playing for Athenry two weeks ago, has been released from the squad along with former underage star Kerril Wade, who has missed training with quad and knee problems.