David Barden will miss the Division Three final but is also breathing a sigh of relief...

The hard-working Clonguish attacker sustained damage to ankle ligaments in training on Friday night and will play no part against Wexford in the third-tier league decider at Croke Park on Saturday evening.

It's a definite blow for Glenn Ryan's unbeaten side but, on a positive note, the injury is nowhere near as bad as first feared.

Barden went down in agony after going over awkwardly on the ankle and at the time his team-mates feared it could be a a broken leg.

The player was removed immediately to Mullingar hospital, but X-rays showed that the tibia was intact.

However, he is still in a race against time to be fit for the May 20th Leinster SFC opener against Laois at Pearse Park. Tweet

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