Today's other stories in brief
Galway wait on Lee
Galway's new centre half back John Lee is a doubtful starter for Sunday's National Hurlintg League clash with Limerick after suffering a hand injury while helping NUIG defeat UCC in the Fitzgibbon Cup on Tuesday. Lee made his debut for Galway in the 3-25 to 0-12 win over Antrim when he made an impressive bid to nail down the number six jersey.
The uncertainty surrounding the Liam Mellowes clubman, coupled with a number of other injuries has forced manager Ger Loughnane to wait until the weekend before naming his side. Loughnane and his selectors also have injury concerns around Ger Mahon, Ger Farragher and Fergal Moore, while Conor Dervan and Derek Hardiman were unable to train on Tuesday night because of flu. Galway were due to announce their side on Tuesday night but will instead wait until Saturday before naming it.
McGuigan back
Brian McGuigan is targeting the league clash with Kerry on March 31st for his Tyrone comeback after almost a year's absence through injury. The playmaker is hoping to feature in his side's last two National Football League Division One A ties, against both of last year's All-Ireland finalists, firstly Kerry followed by Mayo a week later.
He returned to action with his club last weekend, scoring a point during a 15-minute substitute appearance for Ardboe in an Ulster Senior League tie against Monaghan side Clontibret. The former All Star suffered a double leg break in a club game against Dromore last April.
Tennyson doubtful
Kilkenny centre back John Tennyson is a major doubt for Sunday's National Hurling League clash with Tipperary after picking up an ankle injury playing for UCC on Tuesday. Tennyson was replaced by the manager Brian Cody's son Donncha in the 54th minute of the six-point defeat at the hands of NUIG and Kilkenny selector Martin Fogarty confirmed: "John is a very doubtful starter."
Cody has returned to full training with the Kilkenny panel - but he will not feature against Tipperary. Cody had been on the sidelines since last August, when he badly damaged medial ligaments in his right knee.
McIntyre sticks to policy
Offaly hurling manager John McIntyre has insisted that he will press ahead with his youth policy and that there's "no turning back" after a number of experienced heads were omitted from this year's league panel.
Offaly lost 1-21 to 1-14 against Cork in their opening match and McIntyre said: "You're never happy when you lose but given that we sent out such a young team, there were grounds for optimism.
"There's no turning back for us - we've gone down this road and we have young players who have given the squad a good impetus. They have a good attitude and apply themselves well to the task in hand . . . we're realistic about our targets and we're not going to build a team capable of winning an All-Ireland in a few months."
Meanwhile, Shane Dooley, who made his senior debut against Cork, has been ruled out of Sunday's league clash with Down in Birr. Dooley, son of former Offaly great Joe, broke a finger playing for Athlone IT on Tuesday. However, McIntyre will be able to call upon fit-again Kevin Brady and David Franks, and goalkeeper Ray Murray. The team will be named on Friday.
