Uncertainty continues to overshadow the championship intentions of Galway's All Star goalkeeper Martin McNamara.

A month and a half ago, the player announced his withdrawal from the All-Ireland champions' panel, citing pressure of work. Yesterday it was reported that he had reconsidered his decision and had reported for training last week.

McNamara himself proved more ambivalent and doesn't regard his comeback as at all inevitable. He has recently bought the pub which he has been managing for the last year and finds his time at a premium.

"Pat Comer (substitute goalkeeper) is away a lot of the time and then he's back for a while. You have to have two 'keepers there all the time for training and so I've been filling the spot. But I've a stone and a half put on and I'm not sure I can give the commitment necessary to get fit for the championship.

"Maybe if things go well for the next couple of weeks, I'll be able to give it a go, but time is tight. Galway have training on Tuesday and Thursday as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings. Corofin are training Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. But while Pat's away, I'll make up numbers.

"I doubt if I'll be there because I wouldn't be in shape to push Lloyd (Kelly, Galway goalkeeper during the National League). I'll keep tipping away and if I can, I'll push him but with the time I'm going to be able to give it, I can't see it happening. A 'keeper nowadays has to be nearly as fit as an outfield player if not as fit.

"Last year was brilliant, but the amount of time involved is unreal. I've been with the panel for seven years, but now I've a business which is a bit of a rope around my neck."

Galway will be very anxious that McNamara make himself fully available for the championship final as his contribution to last year's victory was substantial.

Manager John O'Mahony is hopeful that McNamara will be able to maintain his input. "We are very happy to see Martin come back and any time he's able to, he's welcome to join us. I perfectly understand his work position but hope that he'll be able to sort something out in time for the summer."

O'Mahony intends finalising his championship panel this week and is keeping his fingers crossed that both McNamara and Tomas Mannion from last year's successful team will return to the fold.

Mannion's comeback after a winter's break was further delayed by a broken finger, but as yet there has been no indication that he will definitely rejoin the panel.

"These few days will be critical," said O'Mahony.

Meanwhile, the GAA has announced that Sunday's National Hurling League semi-finals in the Limerick Gaelic Grounds will be all-ticket. The tickets, priced at £5 and £10, will be distributed to the competing counties and will also be on sale to the public from 8.30 at Croke Park's Jones's Road outlet on Thursday morning.

Dublin's Football League semi-final replay with Armagh goes ahead next Sunday at Croke Park at 3.30. In one change to the GAA's fixture list, the All-Ireland under-21 football semi-final between Monaghan and Westmeath has been moved from Breffni Park in Cavan to Croke Park. It will take place as a curtain-raiser to the league semi-final.

There hasn't been much change in the injury positions of Dublin and Armagh after Sunday's drawn match. Des Mackin, the Armagh full forward, who had to be replaced after half an hour, is unlikely to have recovered from a nasty hamstring pull sustained in the first half.

"It looked very bad," said joint manager Brian Canavan, "and I think it will keep him out for around four weeks."

Cathal O'Rourke was a late withdrawal from Sunday's match but will have some chance of making the start next weekend. "He shouldn't be far away," according to Canavan. "He wasn't anywhere near it on Sunday."

Dublin manager Tom Carr is in a similar position in relation to his late withdrawal, centre back Ian Robertson. "I'm not sure and I would be less hopeful about him than I would about Declan (Darcy, who played heavily strapped). "He wasn't fully right on Sunday but should be over it by next weekend. I'd even be hopeful that Senan Connell (who missed the last two matches) will be fit again."

Finally, the GAA will await the deliberations of its Management Committee before commenting on the Bill published yesterday by the Minister for Arts and Culture, Sile de Valera. It proposes to protect cultural and sporting events from being sold for broadcast on pay-per-view television.

In a list which the Minister said yesterday was not exclusive, the All-Ireland finals were included with the Dublin Horse Show, Dublin's St Patrick's Day parade and the Fleadh Ceoil.