Allstar Kelly on the bench as Waterford reshuffle side

AN ALLSTAR just seven months ago, Waterford’s Eoin Kelly now finds himself on the bench for Saturday’s All-Ireland hurling qualifier against Wexford at Nowlan Park.

In a side showing personnel and positional changes from the one that lost the Munster final to Cork, Kelly has clearly paid the penalty for an indifferent display.

There’s no place either for the former Tipp stars Brian Flannery and Andy Moloney. The latter has struggled to regain last year’s impressive form while Flannery seems to be completely out of favour and has failed to make a start in any championship game this year.

However, Lismore’s Dan Shanahan has been recalled and named at full-forward in a reshuffled attack. His form in training, and most significantly of all his stellar display in a challenge game against Offaly last week, has earned him what many will regard as a long overdue recall to the starting lineup. He will be flanked by the deadly duo, John Mullane and Paul Flynn, potential match winners on any given day. Also back in favour is Ardmore’s Seamas Prendergast who has been named to lead the attack at centre forward. This releases Ken McGrath to move to the left flank with Dave Bennett, who was hugely impressive at midfield against Cork, completing the line.

Prendergast, whose younger brother Declan is named at right full back, returns after a lengthy lay off through injury and illness.

While the defensive sextet that started against Cork have again been named, there are a number of positional changes. The most significant is the return of Tom Feeney to his best position on the fringe of the square, while Brian Greene who filled that number three berth in the Munster final now switches to left half back.

Declan Prendergast goes from wing to corner back with James Murray in the other corner. Fergal Hartley, substituted in the closing quarter against Cork, was always going to be the first choice centre back, with the sector completed by the ultra consistent Eoin Murphy on his right.

Tony Browne and Peter Queally resume their midfield pairing, and while the claims of Dave Bennett to be the one to partner Browne in the sector were very strong there will be huge approval for the selection of the experienced Queally.

Meanwhile, a plea from the President of the GAA, Sean Kelly, urging counties to name their teams well in advance of major championship fixtures seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

Both Down and Tyrone have yet to reveal their starting line-ups prior to next Sunday’s Ulster SFC final replay at Clones.

While Fermanagh and Mayo, who are involved in a crucial qualifier in Sligo on the same day, have remained tight-lipped about their respective team selections.

Both Down and Mayo have legitimate reasons for not naming their sides. Down are awaiting the outcome of last night’s GAC meeting at which Gregory McCartan disputed his red-carding in last Sunday’s enthralling drawn game.

Mayo had two of their senior squad on duty in last night’s Connacht Under 21 championship encounter with Leitrim at Carrick-on-Shannon.

With Ger Cavalan, Stephen O’Neill and Colin Holmes still ruled out by injury it is odds on that Tyrone will announce an unchanged side.

But on the surface it appears Fermanagh have no case for not naming their side.

Not alone have Fermanagh no injury troubles but manager Dominic Corrigan has forbidden any member of his side to speak to the media prior to Sunday’s game.

All-Ireland champions Armagh, who meet Limerick in their qualifier in Roscommon on Sunday, will not name their side until tonight.

T hey have no injury problems and the only decision their selectors had to make was to find a replacement for right half forward Paddy McKeaver, who is serving a one month’s ban.

Like Mayo, Limerick, had a legitimate excuse in being unable to select their side with dual players Brian begley, Conor Fitzgerald and Stephen Lucey all involved in tonight’s All-Ireland hurling qualifier with Offaly at Semple Stadium, Thurles.