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Galway's James Skehill. INPHO/Donall Farmer
Selection

Galway face goalkeeping dilemma with Skehill's return to fitness

The Tribesmen are also boosted by the return of 2011 All-Ireland U21 winning captain Barry Daly to full fitness.

GALWAY HURLING BOSS Anthony Cunningham faces a goalkeeping selection headache this summer following the return of James Skehill to full fitness.

Skehill has been sidelined following the shoulder injury he sustained in the build-up to last September’s All-Ireland final replay, which ultimately resulted in him being withdrawn at half-time in that game.

The Cappataggle netminder subsequently underwent a shoulder to help repair the damage but has returned to club action in recent weeks.

During this spring’s league campaign, Galway alternated between youngster Fergal Flannery from Padraig Pearses and the experienced Colm Callanan from Kinvara.

Flannery lined out against Kilkenny and Tipperary in the early stages of the league while Callanan started in the remaining four games and also lined out for Connacht in the interprovincial hurling championship.

“James Skehill is back training, he’s fully right and in contention,” admitted Cunningham. “But Colm Callanan is also playing very well and played very well with his club last Sunday.

“Fergal Flannery is our third goalkeeper so we’ll carry three goalkeepers for the summer. We’d be delighted with our three goalies. They’re working very hard as a unit and it’ll be a tough call for us to pick one.”

Galway’s Barry Daly lifts the All-Ireland U21 trophy in 2011.
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Barry Daly

Galway are also set to be boosted by the availability of 2011 All-Ireland U21 hurling winning captain Barry Daly this summer. Clarinbridge club man Daly lined out in the championship under John McIntyre for Galway two years ago.

Injury stalled his progress last season and he underwent two operations but is now set to return to the fray.

“Barry played a club match and while he isn’t 100% at this point in time, definitely in three weeks time we’d expect him to be 100%,” revealed Cunningham.

“Barry would be disappointed himself with missing out. He had two operations there, he had a hip operation and a knee operation.

“Hopefully now it’s good and we think now they’re fine. He needs to play a very big part in our championship and he wants to which is the main thing for us.”

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