O'Dwyer claims tighter pitch can swing replay for Kilmurry

STRADBALLY and rivals Kilmurry/Ibrickane are injury-free for tomorrow's AIB Munster Club SFC final replay in Kilmallock (1.30pm throw in).

Kilmurry captain Odhran O'Dwyer has recovered from the heavy knock he took late in the drawn game, while the Waterford champions' challenge has been strengthened by the availability of George Walsh.

Walsh's return has probably tilted the balance ever so slightly in Stradbally's favour, but O'Dwyer is adamant his side can complete the job. O'Dwyer, who runs his own sports clinic in Clare, knew only too well how to treat the injury:

"I saw the tackle coming too late and took the full force around my rib cage. It rocked me I can tell you, but a couple of days' rest and everything was okay again."

The wide open space of Semple Stadium last Sunday made for a fast, open game. Things will be entirely difference tomorrow on the tight Kilmallock pitch, and O'Dwyer is expecting a far tougher game.

"I'm the only player on our side with experience of playing in Kilmallock. That was with Clare in a league game some years ago; I understand Stradbally have never played there.

"I don't expect the Stradbally forwards to get the freedom they enjoyed in the drawn game. The big pitch in Thurles was ideally suited to them.

"Midfield was another problem area for us in the drawn game. Apart from a brief period in the first half, Stradbally won that battle.

"Michael Walsh was very influential for them and we'll have to come up with some plan to contain him.

"With George Walsh available, it will be interesting to see where Michael will play.

"This will be our 10th championship match this season and we haven't come this far to be beaten."

Stradbally coach Sean Aherne got his weekend off to the perfect start when St Declan's (Kilmacthomas), where he is principal, won the Munster Colleges U15 football title on Thursday.

Stradbally's chances have been enhanced by the return of Walsh, who was hugely influential at midfield against Bishopstown in the Munster semi-final. He received a straight red card in that game and had to serve a one match ban as well as a month's suspension.

Walsh's absence for last Sunday's final forced the selectors to move his namesake Michael from full forward to midfield, where he played a starring role, but the Waterford senior hurler is likely to start in his original position tomorrow.

O'Dwyer had the final word: "Both teams will have learned a lot from the drawn game. If Stradbally improve on their finishing they will make it very hard for us, but if we can tighten up in defence and break even at midfield, then I would be confident we can finish the job."

THE Datapac Higher Educational Division One SHL final between Cork IT and UCC, fixed for the Mardyke this afternoon, has been postponed until after Christmas.

UCC have confirmed they will be taking part in next year's McGrath Cup, while the Cork and Kerry senior footballers will also be in the hat.