Ireland's hopes in the forthcoming Coca Cola Compromise Rules series against Australia next month have suffered a serious blow after Kildare star Dermot Earley sustained an ankle injury during the opening minutes of the Kildare SFC semi final on Sunday last.
The Galway based Army officer was assisting his club Sarsfields in their attempt to retain the title they won last year against comparative outsiders Leixlip, when he broke a bone in his ankle in the opening minutes. Despite the loss of their midfield star so early in the game, Sarsfields held on to win by a couple of points.
The injury comes at the end of a difficult year for Earley, as he had made a spectacular recovery after a brush with cancer earlier in the year.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
