No shake-up as Rebels stick to their guns for Tipp clash
Timmy McCarthy has been relegated to the bench, with Kieran Murphy of Sarsfields getting a starting call. Apart from two positional switches up front that was as far as the under-fire ‘big five’ went.
John Gardiner, who was replaced in the Munster final by Cian O’Connor, retains his place at right half-back in an unchanged defence. Tom Kenny and Jerry O’Connor continue their midfield partnership. Ben O’Connor moves to right half-forward with Garvan McCarthy switching to the left wing in place of Timmy McCarthy. Kieran Murphy is at right corner-forward and Brian Corcoran and Joe Deane complete the full forward line.
Niall McCarthy continues to command the confidence of the selectors at centre-forward.
Murphy replaced Garvan McCarthy in the provincial decider and was odds-on to be promoted but the selection of his clubmate, who did not have a distinguished senior championship debut, will be greeted with mild surprise at the least.
Because of the involvement of wing-back Diarmuid Fitzgerald in tonight’s Munster U21 hurling semi- final, Tipperary will not select their team until tomorrow night.
The Tipp management must find a replacement for centre-forward Eddie Enright, who looks like missing the remainder of the season after sustaining a serious shoulder injury in the victorious qualifier against Limerick.
Conor Gleeson and Mark O’Leary are among the front runners to fill the position. Gleeson, who has been sidelined with a back injury, has previous experience at centre-forward.
But if the Tipp selectors were to switch Tomas Dunne to centre-forward then O’Leary, who came on as a substitute in the Limerick qualifier win, could be selected at wing half-forward.
There is good news for Armagh ahead of their Ulster final clash with Donegal on Sunday. Both team captain Kieran McGeeney and Crossmaglen Rangers’ John McEntee have recovered from long-term injuries and are in the frame for selection when Joe Kernan names his side tomorrow night.
McGeeney has shrugged off both groin and hamstring injury problems, while McEntee has overcome a troublesome back complaint and has figured in a number of club games recently.
Ronan Clarke, Philip Loughran and Diarmuid Marsden are carrying minor injuries but all are expected to be given the all-clear to start.
Donegal have made one change from the side that shocked reigning champions Tyrone in their semi-final.
Stephen McDermott is preferred at midfield to previous incumbent Brian McLoughlin.
Shortly before half-time in the Ulster semi-final McDermott came on as a substitute for McLoughlin and, as a result of the major impact he made, is given a starting place this time out.
Colm Morris is confidently expected to regain his right corner-back position when the Wexford team to meet Offaly in Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier at Wexford Park is selected tonight.
Morris missed the Leinster semi-final defeat by Westmeath having been sent off in the last minute of the previous game against Kildare for illegal use of his elbow. His loss was keenly felt as Westmeath’s left corner-forward Dessie Dolan turned out to be the destroyer-in-chief of the Slaneysiders’ ambitions.
Donal Ledwitch, Stephen Lynch and John Kenny will be vying for places when the Longford team is selected tomorrow night to meet Dublin in their All-Ireland qualifier at Portlaoise on Saturday evening.
All three missed last weekend’s victory over Waterford because of injury but are reported to be back in tip-top condition again.
(SH v Tipperary); D. Óg Cusack; W. Sherlock, D. O'Sullivan, B. Murphy; J. Gardiner, R. Curran, S. Óg Ó hAilpín; T. Kenny, J. O'Connor; B. O’Connor, N. McCarthy, G. McCarthy; K. Murphy, B. Corcoran, J. Deane.
(SF v Armagh); P. Durcan; N. McCready, R. Sweeney, D. Diver; E. McGee, B. Monaghan, S. Carr; B. Boyle, S. McDermott; C. Toye, M. Hegarty, B. Roper; C. McFadden, A. Sweeney, B. Devanney.
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