Ardfinnan’s hopes of upset hit by injuries
O’Gorman tore ligaments in his knee in the recent county final win over Loughmore Castleiney while Bannon dislocated his shoulder in the same game.
Bannon played through the pain barrier to score Ardfinnan’s goal, and while he is having intensive treatment, it’s a race against time to be fit.
On the credit side, the Tipperary champions welcome back Brendan Cummins and Liam English, both of whom missed the county final as they were in Australia with AIB.
Unfortunately the game is coming a bit too early for Alan Keating who is recovering from a broken arm.
There will be a bit of nostalgia attached to Sunday’s quarter-final for Ardfinnan’s manager and player Peter Lambert.
While based in Cork, Lambert played his club football with Nemo Rangers and won county, Munster and All-Ireland honours with the Capwell club.
“This is another huge occasion for us, particularly as we are playing at home.
Nemo Rangers would be regarded as the best football club in the country and our lads are looking forward to rubbing shoulders with them,” said Lambert.
“We certainly celebrated the county win, but have been back training now for the last week and while the players that are injured will be a big loss to us, we’ll give a good account of ourselves.
“There is no fear that the lads will settle for the county title. I know they will want to go as far as they can in the Munster championship and it certainly won’t be for the want of effort if we are to fail. Celebrations are over and we have three hard training sessions behind us. The weather is going to be a huge leveller now and anything can happen on a given day.
“If we play with the same passion as we did in the Tipp final I would give ourselves a good chance, but we face a mammoth task.”
Meanwhile Nemo will be without a string of key players for the game which could make them vulnerable.
Paul Kerrigan is under suspension, Derek Kavanagh is out of the country for the next three months, while the Cronin Brothers Martin and Alan are both indisposed. Nemo sought a postponement due to Martin’s upcoming marriage, but were unsuccessful.
One piece of good news for the Cork champions is that they will have Mick Daly back for the game which is fixed for Ardfinnan with a 2.30 p.m. throw in. He missed out on the county final win over Muskerry due to army commitments.
In another quarter-final St. Senan’s (Clare) face Limerick champions Monaleen at the Gaelic Grounds in a game that has a certain family flavour about it. Barry Fitzpatrick, who plays with Monaleen, is son of George who is a former St. Senan’s player.
In another Clare connection, the Keating brothers Eoin and Pat (Monaleen), are sons of Pat who played with the O’Currys club. St. Senan’s have no injury worries and are likely to field the same team which defeated Munster champions Kilmurry/Ibrickane in the recent Clare county final.
The Kilkee club have never won the provincial title.
They contested three finals in a row in the 1970s, but failed to Nemo Rangers twice and St. Finbarr’s in the Munster decider.
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