Gardiner could make shock return for U-21 clash with Clare

JOHN GARDINER could make a sensational return for tonight’s Erin Foods Munster under 21 championship against Clare at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

The Cork selectors have left a vacancy at centre-back as they await a medical report on the county senior player who picked up a hand injury in training last Friday night.

Gardiner was ruled out of tonight’s game and was given little chance of being fit for the Munster senior final on June 27. However, the injury was not as bad as first feared and with the selectors keen to field their strongest team, they will wait until the last moment before making a decision.

There are two vacancies on the Clare team as they wait on fitness reports on full-back John Coen and midfielder Paddy Collins. But definitely out is their best player, Damien Kennedy, who broke a kneecap in a recent challenge game against Galway.

In the corresponding minor championship in 2001, Clare drew with Tipperary in the semi-final before being beaten by three goals in the replay, and Tipp went on to defeat Cork in the final.

However Cork availed of the backdoor to win the All-Ireland, defeating Galway in the final, who had knocked out Tipperary in the semi-final.

Waterford await the winners in the semi-final on July 7.

Limerick will field two seniors on their under 21 team to play Kerry in the tonight’s Munster championship first round in Tralee (7.30 p.m. start). Niall Moran and Andrew O’Shaughnessy will play at right half forward and right corner forward respectively.

Champions four times in the last five years, the Shannonsiders have also included senior panelists Maurice O’Brien, Padraig Kirby and Peter Russell in their starting 15. The winners will play champions Tipperary in the semi-final.

CORK (U-21H v Clare): M. Coleman (Ballinhassig); K. Goggin (Sarsfields), C. O’Connor (Erins Own), S. Murphy (do.); M. Prout (Shamrocks), AN Other, K. Hartnett (Russell Rovers); K., Murphy (Erins Own), M. Naughton (Cloyne); B. Barry (Killeagh), D., O’Riordan (Inniscarra), F. Murphy (Erins Own); J. Bowles (Newtownshandrum), M. Cussen (Sarsfields), K. Murphy (do.).

CLARE (U-21H v Cork): P. Brennan (Tulla); T. Holland (Whitegate), A.N. Other, J. O’Grady (Crusheen), D. Clancy (Corofin), B. O’Connell (Wolfe Tones), P. Burke (Kilmaley), P. O’Connell (Ballyea), A.N. Other, P. Hickey (Broadford), T. O’Donovan (Clonlara), G. Ryan (Cratloe), C. Crowe (Sixmilebridge), A. Quinn (Tulla), T. Kiersk (Cratloe).

LIMERICK (U-21H v Kerry): W. Tobin (Murroe/Boher); G. Heagney (Portumna, Galway), S. Barry (Doon), J. O’Connor (Murroe/Boher); K. O’Mahony (Kilmallock), M. O’Brien (Garryspillane), R. Murphy (Blackrock); J. Ryan (Garryspillane), R. Hayes (Askeaton); N. Moran (Ahane), I. Burke (Ballybrown), P. Russell (Monalee); A. O’Shaughnessy (Kilmallock), B. Murray (Patrickswell), P. Kirby (Knockainey).