Reilly a doubt as injuries mount up ahead of clash with Tyrone

IT IS difficult enough to prepare for an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final, but for Meath and Tyrone, the problems have been doubled with both sides facing an injury crisis ahead of Saturday's last eight clash at Croke Park.

With Seamus Kenny and Eoghan Harrington ruled out, having been on the receiving end of tough tackles from Ja Fallon during the All-Ireland qualifier victory over Galway, Meath's defence has been depleted.

Colm Coyle suffered a further blow at the weekend with news that Navan O'Mahonys player Kevin Reilly is struggling with a knee injury and is a serious doubt ahead of Meath's biggest game in six years.

If Reilly is ruled out, then half of the Royals' defensive unit that started against Galway will be missing and it will cause Coyle a major headache.

Chris O'Connor is likely to get his first start in place of Harrington at corner-back and Niall McLoughlin could be recalled to fill in at wing back in place of Kenny. The obvious solution to the Reilly problem would be to move Anthony Moyles to centre-back and that could pave the way for a return to the starting line-up for Graham Geraghty.

Geraghty's return to the first 15 would be a remarkable turnaround in what has been a turbulent year for the former Fine Gael TD hopeful. However, his display when introduced against Galway would justify a start.

Tyrone have also had to endure injury problems in the build-up to Saturday's big game, but most of their woes have eased with Gerard Cavlan, Owen Mulligan and Brian Dooher all expected to be fit to start.

Stephen O'Neill appears to be some way short of full fitness and is unlikely to be risked, but even without him, Tyrone will be formidable opposition and Meath will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to cause a shock and book an All-Ireland semi-final spot against either Cork or Sligo on Sunday 19th August.