TWO OF Gaelic games most respected players, Limerick footballer John Galvin and Tipperary hurler Lar Corbett, are in line to make dramatic returns to their respective county teams after prolonged absences.
Considered one of the best midfielders of his generation, Galvin returned to training last week despite surgery in April to repair a torn cruciate ligament initially damaged last summer.
“John has participated fully in the session for a week or so now,” said manager Maurice Horan. “It was not a complete tear so there is stability in the knee, enough to let him play in a training game. We were all surprised by his comeback but it is testament to the man for the work he has been doing.
“Really, he has only played four games since last May so it is hard to imagine we will get a full 70 minutes out of him against Clare .”
Horan also confirmed that Stephen Kelly and Jim Donovan have recovered from injuries that curtailed their involvement in the Munster quarter-final win over Waterford on May 20th. However, neither Galvin or Donovan have been included in the starting line-up for the semi-final against Clare.
Corbett, meanwhile, featured at centre forward for Tipperary in their challenge match against Galway this week, just over a fortnight out from their Munster hurling semi-final against Cork.
“He did well and looked very lively all the time. He looks very fit, but I don’t think it would take too much to get Lar Corbett fit,” said Galway manager Anthony Cunningham. Corbett has not played an official match for Tipperary or his club Thurles Sarsfields since last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny, citing work commitments for stepping away.
Galway won the match by 3-16 to 0-21 thanks to goals from David Burke, Jonathan Glynn and Davy Glennon but Joe Canning did not feature due to an ongoing shoulder problem. Galway play Offaly in the Leinster semi-final on Sunday week.
Meanwhile, Armagh manager Paddy O’Rourke gives goalkeeper Philip McEvoy and forwards Aidan Forker and Caolan Rafferty their championship debuts in Sunday’s Ulster quarter-final against Tyrone at the Athletic Grounds.
It is a new looking Armagh attack as Steven McDonnell has retired and Ronan Clarke continues to be plagued by injury.
LIMERICK (SFC v Clare): G Griffin; J McCarthy, P Browne, L O’Dwyer; S Lavin, J Riordan, P Ranahan; T Lee, P Kinnerk; I Corbett, S Kelly, S Buckley; G Collins (capt), S O’Carroll, I Ryan.
ARMAGH (SFC v Tyrone): P McEvoy; A Mallon, B Donaghy, D McKenna; A Kernan, C McKeever, F Moriarty; K Toner, M Mackin; A Forker, K Dyas, A Duffy; J Clarke, B Mallon, C Rafferty.
