Daly sticks with winning formula for semi-final clash

CLARE manager Anthony Daly has stood by the same starting side that defeated Wexford for next Sunday's Guinness All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash with Cork at Croke Park.

This means that right corner- forward Barry Nugent retains his position even though he was substituted shortly after half time in the quarter-final by Declan O'Rourke.

Nugent was suffering from a groin injury three weeks prior to the Wexford game but has obviously now satisfied the Clare management as to his general fitness.

The Eire Óg, Ennis player had a great start to the season when he starred in LIT's historic 'first' Fitzgibbon Cup success which was trained and coached by Davy Fitzgerald, who will line out in goal with the Banner on Sunday.

A talented player, Nugent was thought to be under pressure from O'Rourke, Andrew Quinn, Daithi O'Connell and David Forde, primarily because of his recent injury problem. However, at training in Cusack Park last night Nugent brushed aside the claims of his rivals and will once again don the number 13 shirt.

Also passed fit was left half-forward Alan Markham. The free-scoring winger suffered a 'dead' leg towards the end of the Wexford game but a slow recovery caused concern in the Clare camp before the announcement of the team last night.

Meanwhile, Ryan McMenamin reclaims his corner-back spot for Tyrone's All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Dublin following the appeal saga which finally saw his four-week ban overturned.

His return in the right corner is the only change from the side that started against Monaghan last time out.

Joe McMahon, who deputised for McMenamin a week ago at Croke Park, returns to the bench. Once again manager Mickey Harte has chosen to hold Peter Canavan in reserve.

CLARE (SHC v Cork): D. Fitzgerald; G. O'Grady, B. Lohan, F. Lohan; D. Hoey, S. McMahon, G. Quinn; B. O'Connell, C. Lynch; D. McMahon, T. Carmody, A. Markham; B. Nugent, N. Gilligan, T. Griffen.

TYRONE: (SFC v Dublin): P. McConnell; R. McMenamin, C. Lawn, S. Sweeney; D. Harte, G. Devlin, P. Jordan; C. Gormley, S. Cavanagh; B. Dooher, B. McGuigan, O. Mulligan; R. Mellon, S. O'Neill, E. McGinley.