Thursday's GAA In The Papers

Catch up on all the latest news, views and GAA-related rumours in www.gaa.ie's latest daily fetaure, GAA In the Papers.

The Irish Examiner reports that Limerick dual star Stephen Lucey is a doubt for the county's two Allianz League games this weekend because of a hamstring injury.

The Limeirck footballers face Waterford in Dungarvan on Sunday, with the hurlers scheduled to play Westmeath at the Gaelic Grounds the previous day.

Meanwhile, Laois star John O'Loughlin has told the Irish Independent that his transfer from Mountmellick to Dublin Club St Brigid's was too good to turn down.

O'Loughlin is the ninth Laois player to join a Dublin Club, and will link up with Brigid's when he completes his studies in May, taking on a coaching role.

"I was approached by Brigid's a couple of weeks ago," he said. "It's too good an opportunity to turn down and I'm going to start working with them straight away when I finish college in May."

Dublin footballer Eamon Fennell has expressed his relief that his transfer from O'Tooles to St Vincent's was finally approved on Tuesday night.

"Relief is the overwhelming feeling," he told the Irish Independent. "It was longer than anyone should have to sit out playing the game they love so I'm just happy it's over with now. That was the last chance saloon, I had no idea what the next step would be had it fallen through again."

The Irish Times reports that Kerry star Paul Galvin is unlikely to see any action for DIT in the Sigerson Cup first round as he is still recovering from a minor hip operation.

Galvin, 31, is eligible to play for DIT because he started a fashion course there last month. He will be part of the squad to face University of Limerick today but is unlikely to see any action.

"It really is touch and go as to whether Paul will play in the first round," says DIT's GAA officer Darragh Biddlecome. "He is certainly very keen, but because of his injury it's doubtful he will see some action right now."

Fermanagh manager John O'Neill has expressed his satisfaction with his side's start to the season, including last week's Allianz League Division Four defeat of Carlow.

"I was very pleased with the way in which our five league debutants played against Carlow and now that we have home advantage against Longford I think we can play with even greater confidence," O'Neill told the Belfast Telegraph.

"But we are taking nothing for granted, Division Four will be a real dog-fight."

Kilmacud Crokes manager Paddy Carr has outlined the extent of the injury crisis his side faces ahead of the AIB GAA All-Ireland Club clash with Crossmaglen on Saturday week.

"About a third of the starting team against Rhode are on the treatment table," Carr told BBC Northern Ireland.

"But we are still very hopeful that everyone will be right for the game."

"The last time we played Crossmaglen in the All-Ireland final two years ago we were very delighted that going into that game it was the first time in that campaign that we had everyone available to us," he said.

Nemo Rangers have been given a massive boost with the news that Paul Kerrigan is set to be fit for the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Club semi-final clash with St Brigid's on Saturday week.

Kerrigan sustained a knee injury in the Munster final defeat of Dr Crokes and was forced off during he second half.

However, according to the Irish Examiner, he had a scan on the knee, which showed he had suffered just bruising to the knee.