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Galway's James Skehill. INPHO/Donall Farmer

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he sustained in the build-up to last Septemberโ€™s All-Ireland final replay, which ultimately resulted in him being withdrawn at half-time in that game.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 springโ€™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.

โ€œJames Skehill is back training, heโ€™s fully right and in contention,โ€ admitted Cunningham. โ€œBut Colm Callanan is also playing very well and played very well with his club last Sunday.

โ€œFergal Flannery is our third goalkeeper so weโ€™ll carry three goalkeepers for the summer. Weโ€™d be delighted with our three goalies. Theyโ€™re working very hard as a unit and itโ€™ll be a tough call for us to pick one.โ€

Galwayโ€™s Barry Daly lifts the All-Ireland U21 trophy in 2011.
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine Oโ€™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.

โ€œBarry played a club match and while he isnโ€™t 100% at this point in time, definitely in three weeks time weโ€™d expect him to be 100%,โ€ revealed Cunningham.

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

โ€œHopefully now itโ€™s good and we think now theyโ€™re fine. He needs to play a very big part in our championship and he wants to which is the main thing for us.โ€

Galwayโ€™s Fergal Moore recovered after being knocked out in hurling league game

1 championship newcomer in Galway senior team to face Mayo

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