Kildare boss McConnon laments 18 weeks without competitive match
The game forms part of a double header involving Cork and Armagh in the other semi-final (2pm).
Kildare manager Peter McConnon criticises a system which sees his team without a competitive match since May 1.
“Our biggest problem ahead of Sunday’s semi-final is trying to get back to the level of intensity we had for the Leinster final replay,” he said.
“After defeating Dublin, we told the players it would be a long time before the semi-final would be played, but I didn’t think it would be 18 weeks.
“The logistics of trying to keep a team right over such a long period of time is not possible. Effectively, you are now competing in two different championships and that is not right for this particular grade.
“As a result of the long delay, our players have been very active with their clubs, but that has had its drawbacks as well, with a number of them picking up injuries.”
A dislocated shoulder sustained by corner-forward Tommy Archibold in the Leinster minor final against Laois rules him out of Sunday’s semi-final, while top scorer Adrian Kelly is also out after a cruciate knee ligament operation. Centre-forward Derek McCormack picked up a hamstring injury in training last week and McConnon said it’s touch and go if he will be fit in time. Midfielder Willie Heffernan is also in trouble with a foot injury, but is expected to get the all clear. He made a big impression when introduced against Wexford in the recent All-Ireland senior qualifier.
McConnon will name his side tomorrow night after training. Kildare’s only previous success at this level was in 1965, while they failed to a star-studded Kerry in the 1976 final.
Mayo have no injury worries and senior team coach John Maughan - also in charge of the U21 side - announces his team tomorrow.
The Cork U21 football team for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Armagh is the same as that which surprised Kerry in the Munster final.
Meanwhile, a question mark hangs over the future sporting career at senior inter-county hurling level of rising young Clare star Tony Griffen.
In a few days, the 23-year-old embarks on a three-year course in sporting medicine in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Griffen says he will return next May at the end of his first-year term but, given the demands on players in the inter-county arena, it is unlikely he will command a starting place on the Clare side for the championship.
A Dr Harty Cup and All-Ireland Colleges medal winner with St Flannan’s five year’s ago, Griffen played minor and U21 with his county before joining the senior squad three years ago.
K. Murphy (Boherbue); M. Prout (Shamrocks), D. O’Donovan (St. Nicks), B. Crowley (Aghada); N. O’Riordan (Glenville), P. Nealon (O’Donovan Rossa), E. O’Connor (Kildorrery); D. Coughlan (Ilen Rovers), S. O’Sullivan (Dromtariff); C. O’Riordan (Mallow), P. Kelly (Ballincollig), J. Hayes (Carbery Rangers); R. Long (O’Donovan Rossa), T. Twomey (Newcestown), K. O’Sullivan (Ilen Rovers).
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