Kildare manager Jason Ryan says Meath defender Kevin Reilly made sure "he was going to make an impact" with a tough tackle on Paddy Brophy.

The Lilywhites attacker had to leave the field at Croke Park following the impact of the hit nine days ago and the Celbridge clubman remains a doubt for this weekend's Qualifier trip to Newry, having sustained a back injury:

"Sleep-wise, for a lot of the week just gone, has been difficult and he's been in a lot of pain," Ryan told The Irish Independent.

"He's not great, but he's progressing, he's done a little bit of training.

"It was a very strong hit and Kevin certainly put himself in there to make sure he was going to make an impact on Paddy."

Ryan could welcome back Darroch Mulhall and Mick O'Grady from appendicitis and a broken cheekbone respectively but Peter Kelly (hamstring) and Fionn Dowling (knee) will definitely play no part on Sunday.

"Darroch's missed a lot and if you miss a lot of football at intercounty level it's hard to get back in, but he's a talented kid. Mick is in the same boat. If they play well in training this week, then who knows. They are in the running." Tweet

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