Clancy to lead Galway against unchanged Leitrim in Connacht semi-final

MOYCULLEN’S Paul Clancy will captain Galway in Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Connacht SFC semi-final clash with Leitrim at Pearse Stadium.

Meanwhile, their opponents have named the same side that sensationally defeated Sligo in the quarter-final.

2004 Galway club champions Killererin have nominated Clancy as the influential Padraic Joyce picked up an ankle injury a fortnight ago. With the Irish International Rules star unable to start the game, Killererin don’t have a player on the first 15.

Though Caltra’s Declan Meehan skippered Galway during the Allianz NFL, Killererin have opted to award the honour to the classy Clancy, who has been a key contributor in the maroon and white jersey since making his Championship debut in a draw with Sligo back in 1996.

Clancy missed a significant chunk of the splendid campaign when Galway captured Sam Maguire in 1998, but the Moycullen attacker appeared as a substitute in the dying minutes of the final against Kildare.

Galway supporters will also fondly recall Clancy’s sweet winning point in a tense All-Ireland Qualifying clash with Armagh in 2001 following a thrilling Michael Donnellan assist. With five U-21 players set to feature on Sunday for Peter Ford’s evolving team Clancy will certainly play a crucial role. Paul McCormack returns to the Armagh team for Sunday’s Ulster semi-final clash with Donegal in Clones. The accomplished defender missed the quarter final victory over Fermanagh because of a shoulder injury.

McCormack takes over his customary left corner back position with Enda McNulty losing out.

Meanwhile, Brian McGuigan is due back in Ireland today following a four-month stay in Australia. And Tyrone manager Mickey Harte isn’t ruling out a role for his former playmaker in the Ulster SFC semi-final against Cavan on Sunday week.

Harte is hoping the All-Ireland winning centre forward will rejoin the squad with a decent level of fitness.

The Ardboe man’s decision to come home is a relief to Tyrone fans, as he had indicated prior to his departure last January that he may spend a full year down under.

Tyrone midfielder Kevin Hughes is also in Australia, and has committed himself to a full year in the Southern Hemisphere.

McGuigan’s return comes as a massive boost to Tyrone’s championship challenge, particularly in light of the loss of Colin Holmes with a knee injury, and continuing doubts over skipper Brian Dooher, whose recovery from an ankle problem is progressing more slowly than had been hoped.

Elsewhere, Galway hurling boss Conor Hayes has drafted in last year’s All-Ireland minor winning captain John Lee to bolster his squad for the championship.

The Liam Mellowes defender, who was an inspirational leader as Mattie Murphy’s charges beat Kilkenny in a thrilling decider, is one of three newcomers to the squad. Also drafted in to the 31-man panel following excellent form for their clubs in the Galway championship are Meelick/Eyrecourt’s Noel Kenny and Gerald Mahon from Kinvara.

They will replace Adrian Cullinane and Diarmuid Cloonan, both of whom have withdrawn from the squad. Manager Hayes is hopeful that ace marksman Eugene Cloonan will recover from a back injury ahead of Saturday’s week opening championship match.

And there are hopes that former Allstar Kevin Broderick may be available later in the season, having undergone surgery this week for a groin injury.

LEITRIM (SF V Galway): C. McCrann; M. McGuinness, E. McKeon, D. Reynolds; N. Gilbane, B. McWeeney, S. Foley; C. Carroll, G. McCloskey; J. Goldrick, B. Prior, M. Foley; J. Glancy, C. Regan, D. Maxwell.

GALWAY (SF v Leitrim): B. O’Donoghue; A. Burke, K. Fitzgerald, V. Feeney; D. Meehan, D. Burke, M. Comer; N. Coleman, B. Cullinane; P. Clancy, M. Donnellan, M. Clancy, M. Meehan, D. Savage, S. Armstrong.

ARMAGH (SF v Donegal): P. Hearty; A, Mallon, F. Bellew,P. McCormack; A. Kernan, K. McGeeney, K. McKeever; J. Toal, P. McGrane; M. O’Rourke, J. McEntee, O. McConville; S. McDonnell, R. Clarke, R. Mallon.