Published: Wednesday, 24th March, 2010 5:04pm

Mixed news for Meath

Meath manager Eamonn O'Brien.

Meath manager Eamonn O'Brien received mixed news on the injury front following the weekend club action as Kevin Reilly made a welcome return for Navan O'Mahonys, but Seneschalstown goalkeeper David Lyons was sidelined in Summerhill.

Hampered by a back injury for the majority of 2009, Reilly had surgery before Christmas to rectify the problem.

All his hard work was rewarded when he made brief appearances for O'Mahonys during the Seamus Heaney Cup win over Simonstown on Tuesday of last week and in the A FL Div 2 draw with Oldcastle at Millbrook on Sunday.

Reilly, who last featuresd for Meath in the closing stages of the All-Ireland SFC semi-final, played the last 15 minutes against Simonstown at full-forward and he also took up that role for the final 10 minutes against Oldcastle.

The talented Meath full-back is well aware that he is on a long road to recovery and he is in no hurry to rush his return, but he was delighted to get back into action.

"I have been working very hard to try to get myself right, playing 10 minutes at full-forward isn't quite operating at full capacity, but it is a start," he told the Meath Chronicle.

"I felt fine after the games, but I will be cautious about how much I do and how long I play for.

"I don't want to rush back too early and do any further damage. I have the blessing of our manager and selectors to do as much as I can. If I'm sore I won't train or play.

"It is encouraging. I'm making slow progress and I'm trying to remain positive. It has been very frustrating not being able to play, especially last year when we had the good run. It has been very tough at times because it was a long-term injury," he added.

On the goalkeeping front, O'Brien may have to plan without Lyons after he picked up a back injury in the warm-up prior to Sunday's A FL Div 1 defeat by Summerhill.

It is thought that Lyons caught his foot in the ground during the warm-up and he only lasted four minutes before he had to be replaced.

This latest blow could leave O'Brien short of goalkeeping options with Trim's Brendan Murphy also carrying a back injury and Donaghmore/Ashbourne's Meath u-21 goalkeeper Danny McShane not featuring for his club last weekend.

Na Fianna custodian Shane Geraghty has been involved with the senior panel in recent weeks and he may have to fill the substitute's position in Ballybofey on Saturday evening.

O'Brien will also have to await the outcome of the referee's report from Rathkenny's A FL Div 2 win over Carnaross during which midfielder Brian Meade received a straight red card.

It is expected that Meade will be suspended for one month, which would make him available for inter-county selection, but could rule him out of the first round of the Meath SFC which is scheduled for Sunday, 18th April.