Earley in race for fitness

Kildare are crossing their fingers that All Star Dermot Earley will recover in time to take the field for their All-Ireland semi-final with Down on 29 August.

Earley, who was described by Johnny Doyle as ‘the team’s heartbeat’, was forced off the pitch just three minutes into the win over Meath after aggravating his cruciate knee ligament injury.

He was on crutches after the game but scans have revealed that the damage is not as bad as initially feared.

‘We’re hopeful Dermot will be alright for the Down match,’ selector Niall Carew said in the Irish Examiner.

‘The results of the scan were not as bad as we had feared so there is hope that he will be able to play. Dermot will rest up this week and then he will be doing a lot of rehab but the signs are good that he will be back.’