Lynch ruled out for Kildare

A knee injury has forced midfielder Hugh Lynch to withdraw from the Kildare team to play Meath in tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC third round qualifier.

Lynch ruptured his knee ligaments in training last Monday. He went for a scan earlier today amid fears that he is another victim of the dreaded cruciate 'curse'.

The Confey clubman was named at centre-field in the Kildare side that was released last night, but Moorefield's Daryl Flynn is expected to take his place.

Lynch had been a huge presence for the Lilywhites in recent games. His performance in last weekend's win over Laois was topped off by three excellent second half points.

His midfield partner, John Doyle, ended speculation that he might miss the Navan encounter by training successfully last night.

KILDARE (SFC v Meath): Shane Connolly; Andriú Mac Lochlainn, Michael Foley, Hugh McGrillen; Gary White, Morgan O'Flaherty, Emmet Bolton; John Doyle (capt), AN Other; Padraig O'Neill, Eoghan O'Flaherty, Eamonn Callaghan; Robert Kelly, Tomás O’Connor, Fionn Dowling.