Kildare look set to be without inspirational midfielder Dermot Earley for this weekend’s All-Ireland semi-final clash with Down at Croke Park.
Earley was forced to limp out of the Lilywhites’ quarter-final victory over Meath in the opening stages with a knee problem and despite undergoing minor surgery on his knee since that game, it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will be fit to line-out for Sunday’s encounter.
Earley is likely to be replaced in the starting line-up by Hugh Lynch, who came on for Earley in the quarter-final and had a significant impact in Kildare’s victory over Meath.
