SILKE NOT LINKING UP WITH TRIBE FOOTBALLERS

LIAM SILKE will not be joining the Galway football squad this year as he plans to travel to the US for the summer, WRITES COLM KEYS.

The defender picked up his second All-Ireland club medal with Corofin at the weekend to cap a fine campaign for him personally.

His goal against Moorefield in the All-Ireland semi-final was a high point, securing passage to the club final for the Connacht champions who had been reduced to 14 men after Martin Farragher’s early dismissal, which was subsequently rescinded.

Galway have already reached an Allianz Division 1 league final without their Corofin contingent and no members of the club champions are expected to link up with the county squad ahead of that date with Dublin next week.

Silke (right) has been a regular for Galway in recent seasons and has also been the team’s primary penalty-taker, scoring one in last year’s qualifier win over Donegal.

Corofin could potentially have a healthy representation on an already strong squad that Kevin Walsh has assembled and remains unbeaten in six league matches to date.

Ian Burke can also expect to be recalled while goalkeeper Bernard Power, defenders Dylan Wall and Cathal Silke and attackers Martin and Michael Farragher and Michael Lundy would all have claims – though not all may accept or even be called in.

Daithi Burke is one that Walsh would surely love to have, given his robust midfield impact in Saturday’s club final but, for now, Burke looks like restating his commitment to the Galway hurlers as they defend their league, Leinster and All-Ireland titles.

Silke is not alone in opting to travel to the US for the summer rather than play inter-county football.

Eoin McHugh has left the Donegal squad, while Derry pair Niall Keenan and Ciarán McFaul are planning a similar trip.