Galway manager Joe Kernan says he hopes to have veteran forward Padraic Joyce at his disposal for the first time around mid-March as he makes his recovery from injury.

Some reports have suggested that the two-time All-Ireland winner was considering hanging-up his boots for good, but Kernan has rubbished the accusations and is now looking forward to working with Joyce in his first season in charge of the Tribesmen.

"I saw someone writing the in the paper that he could be finished. He will be back this year. He has had an injury and has come back from it, he's nearly there," said Kernan.

"When you are a wee bit older, it is a long lonely road but he's done that. I hope he will be back for the third or fourth game in the league."

The Armagh man is also set to welcome the college contingent back into squad for Sunday's NFL opener against Mayo at Castlebar, not to mention one Michael Meehan, who came on to score the only goal of the game in Sunday's FBD semi-final win over GMIT.

"It was great to give Michael a run and he was flying, but 20 minutes was enough for him at this stage," he said. "He is a key player for us and it is great to have him back as we head into the league.

"The college players will also be back with us and we will head to Castlebar looking for the win." Tweet

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