GAELIC GAMES: Amidst intense speculation that Mayo's most influential player, Ciarán McDonald, picked up a serious hamstring injury at Wednesday night's training session, manager Mickey Moran has denied that there is any doubt about the player's participation in Sunday's final against Kerry.

It is, however, believed that McDonald has had to undergo treatment in Dublin. A source close to the player has indicated that he himself is confident of lining out.

Speaking on local station MWR, Moran said that the problem was a recurrence of a back problem and that, although McDonald was receiving treatment, it wasn't any more serious than that being routinely administered to a number of other players.

Earlier, the Mayo manager had dismissed the story as "nonsense" and added "there is nothing wrong with him".

Meanwhile, the future of several high-profile hurling management positions could remain undecided for a while yet, with Cork's John Allen declining to confirm his intentions until after the weekend.

There is widespread speculation that Allen is about to step down following the All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny last Sunday week, although for now he is keeping the truth of that matter to himself.

"I haven't commented publicly to anyone on this," said Allen yesterday. "I am aware of the speculation, but I'm actually still finalising a few things on this, and I will be talking to the people closest to me over the weekend."

Allen has already hinted he may not be able to give the full commitment again next season, although he has the unanimous backing of both the players and the county board should he decide to continue for another year.

Waterford's Justin McCarthy has made it clear he does want to stay in charge for another year, although that decision still rests with the county board.

McCarthy outlined his reasons for continuing at a county board meeting last Monday night, which ended with Waterford chairman Pat Flynn agreeing to head a special sub-committee that will look into the hurling management for next year.

They will be making their recommendation at next month's meeting.

The situation in Galway still seems to point to Ger Loughnane making his long-awaited return to management.

KILKENNY (U-21 v Tipperary): L Tierney; K Joyce, J Tennyson, S Cummins; P Hartley, J Dalton, D Fogarty; J Fitzpatrick, M Fennelly; TJ Reid, A Murphy, P Hogan; R Hogan, R Power, D McCormack.