Meath injury crisis

Jamie Queeney is a big doubt for Meath's opening Leinster SFC clash with Offaly later this month after picking up an injury in an IFC encounter at Athboy on Sunday evening between na Fianna and St Michael's. Queeney was stretchered-off in the second-half with what turned out to be torn ligaments and now he is in a race against time to be available for the clash with the Faithful County at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Sunday, 23rd May. The Na Fianna player joined a growing list of those receiving treatment. The injury problems are hampering Meath players in their preparations for the summer ahead. "Our panel is still open because we have injuries to some players. Jamie Queeney has torn ankle ligaments, he could be out for four weeks," said Meath manager Eamonn O'Brien after Monday's challenge against Down at Millbrook, Oldcastle. "Cormac McGuinness pulled his hamstring with O'Mahonys, Shane O'Rourke is sore after Simonstown's game and Brian Sheridan pulled his hamstring again. "Chris O'Connor, who played for Ballinabrackey in the JFC against Drumbaragh, has a dead leg and Ollie Lewis is also sore after Na Fianna's game." The one positive note for O'Brien is that Kevin Reilly continued his return to full fitness when he played for O'Mahonys in their SFC victory over Summerhill at Dunsany on Sunday. Queeney's was just one of number of injuries of various seriousness picked up by players all over Meath last week during a full round of championship games. On Friday night at Carlanstown, Dunderry's Aaron Newman broke his leg following an accidental clash with an opponent during the IFC encounter between his team and Ballinlough. As soon as Newman went down, first aid personnel from both sides quickly rushed to his assistance. An ambulance was immediately called and arrived soon after while a doctor, who was with Ballinlough, was also in attendance. The Dunderry player was brought to Drogheda by ambulance. The following day an operation was carried out on the player's leg. Other players who picked up injuries included Cortown's Glen Loughran who damaged knee ligaments in the opening minutes of the IFC encounter between Gaeil Cholmcille and Cortown at Carnaross on Friday evening. He will be sidelined for a few weeks at least. Walterstown player Charles McCarthy was forced off in the second-half of the SFC encounter with Rathkenny at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. At Athboy, also on Sunday, in a JFC game, Drumbaragh's James Connolly and Ballinbrackey's Paddy Kenny were forced to leave the fray after a clash of heads. Both players had to be assisted from the pitch and were brought to Navan hospital for further observation, but were later discharged.