Brian Flanagan issues update on Kildare's early season injury crisis

Just eight days out from the start of the 2026 Allianz Football League, Division 2, Kildare manager, Brian Flanagan, has said that due to the amount of injuries he will not be naming his 2026 League Squad for a few weeks.

Asked about the situation following Kildare's defeat at the hands of Westmeath last Friday night, the manager said “I think we will hold fire on that for a couple of weeks finalising anything until we know time lines and everything else.

Kildare have suffered a host of early season injuries, some nearly cleared up, some a bit longer while others are in the longer time category.

Name checking some of the players the manager gave this assessment of various members of the squad.

James McGrath: “Very close, back running this week, he may be in contention next week.”

Ben McCormack: “Again, is moving very well, we want to be very careful with Ben, there is a legacy there over a couple of years in terms of hamstrings, we don't want to rush it; I'd expect we will see Ben in the next week or two.”

Jack Robinson: “Picked up a hamstring in early December, again he is moving well, probably won't see Jack in the first two rounds, but at stage that, we'd be hoping to have him.”

Daragh Ryan: “Probably a little bit more protracted, I'd expect six weeks or so to get back, hamstring injury.”

Jimmy Hyland: “He is rehabbing very well, again a bit like Ben (McCormack) we don't want to rush him, he is being looked after by the medical team, we want to be patient with Jimmy.”

Darragh Kirwan: “Darragh had surgery mid-November, at the minute he is on the field, he is running but we need to go through the gears for the next four or five weeks.”

Tommy Gill: “Tommy won't be far away next week.”

Colm Dalton: Making good progress, hopefully back in four weeks.

Jack McKevitt: “Won't be far away next week.”

Neil Flynn: “Should be ready for next week.”

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