O'Rourke answers Leinster's call

Simonstown Gaels' midfielder Shane O'Rourke has been added to the Leinster panel for Saturday's Interprovincial SF clash with Connacht at Parnell Park, 6pm.

O'Rourke didn't feature for Meath in 2016 because of crippling hip and back injuries, but his sensational form for his club helped guide them to a first SFC title and earned him the Meath Football of the Year award, which he will receive at the Meath GAA Presentation night in the Castle Arch Hotel, Trim tonight.

The Simonstown man's appearance at Leinster training in Abbotstown this week along with Meath captain Donal Keogan has sparked speculation that O'Rourke could reconsider his intercounty career and that would be a major boost to new manager Andy McEntee who will be without Harry Rooney as one of his midfield options following the Skryne man's decision to take a year out to go travelling.

It is understood that Leinster manager Sean Kelly, who guided Donaghmore/Ashbourne to the SFC final against Simonstown in October, called O'Rourke into his panel following the withdrawal of Dublin star Brian Fenton.

Kelly will have to do without the services of a number of Dublin stars including Dean Rock, while the other expected Meath representative Graham Reilly is also unlikely to feature against Connacht.

Munster will take on Ulster in Parnell Park on sunday at 2pm with the final between the two winners scheduled for the same venue the following weekend.