PHELAN COUNTS THE COST

By Damian Dolan

Who’d be a London inter-county manager? The Exiles open their league campaign in Armagh at the weekend with manager Eamonn Phelan able to call upon just three of his Christy Ring Cup winning team from last year.

With St Gabriel’s London contingent taking a well-earned break following their All Ireland heroics, it would appear Dave Maher, James Egan and hat-trick hero Johnny Maher are the only certainties from that glorious Croke Park day to tog out at Athletic Grounds on Sunday.

Gone are goalkeeper Tommy Williams, backs Eddie Walsh, Ger Fennelly, Lee Mackey, Mick Walsh and Colm Quinn. Full back Brian Costello has yet to commit and Tony Dunne is unavailable, while PJ Rowe and Pat Sloane have been ruled out through injury. Shane Egan and Martin Finn are among those in need of a rest.

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