Injury has robbed Ireland's International Rules team of the services of multi-talented Michael Donnellan - and it's upset the plans of Eircom League premier outfit Galway United too.

United manager Don O'Riordan was sick to learn that Donnellan had a suspected broken ankle and might be in plaster for six weeks.

Donnellan played the second half of last season with United and O'Riordan had been counting on him rejoining the squad as soon as the all-Ireland football championship was over.

"At this stage it looks like we won't get him back till around Christmas if at all," rueful O'Riordan said.

"I had spoken to him and, while it was impossible for him to give a commitment at that stage, I was hopeful of getting his services."

There was some good news for O'Riordan yesterday however when he learned that striker Llewellyn Riley will at last link up with the United squad this Friday.

Riley, who skippered Barbados against Guatemala last weekend, is Eric Lavine's strike partner at international level and O'Riordan has been looking forward to the duo reproducing that partnership at club level.