Meath could be without Mark Ward for the start of their O'Byrne Cup campaign next year after the midfielder cracked his sternum at the weekend.

Ward was on club duty with Navan O'Mahony's against Walterston when he had to be forced off the field with the injury and now joins Ciaran Lenehan on the Royals treatment table, after the defender picked up a knock while playing for his native Skryne.

"We hope Mark will be ready to come back in early January, but it's disappointing for him as he will miss the league final with his club now," said Meath manager Seamus McEnaney, who recently confirmed that Skryne's Sean Cahill would be part of his back room team for 2012.

"We're not sure how long Ciaran will be out for - he's going for an MRI this weekend and we'll know more then." Tweet

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