Hennessy between posts as Decies make changes

WATERFORD have changed their goalkeeper for Sunday’s Guinness All-Ireland senior hurling quarter-final against Cork at Croke Park.

There are two other changes in personnel from the side that lost to Clare in the qualifiers, while Paul Flynn, despite carrying a thigh injury, is named at left half-forward.

Clinton Hennessy from Ardmore replaces Stephen Brenner in goal, Dave Bennett returns after injury to command a place at midfield, while Jack Kennedy, from Ballyduff Lower, takes over at left corner-forward in place of the suspended Eoin McGrath.

Brenner’s concession of four goals in the Clare game opened the door for Hennessy, who filled the position in the early rounds of the League, but then lost favour.

Dave Bennett, who teams up with Eoin Kelly at midfield, pulled a hamstring after 20 minutes in the Munster semi-final against Cork and has not figured since but a fit Lismore man would have been an automatic inclusion in the Waterford side for the qualifiers.

Kennedy came on as a substitute in last season’s All-Ireland semi final against Kilkenny and scored three good points.

It is questionable though whether Kennedy will line out in the left corner, given the fact that Paul Flynn has only been able to indulge in light training since the Clare game.

The likelihood is that Kennedy will start in the half forward line with Flynn in the corner.

Wexford have deferred selection of their team to play Clare in the other quarter final at headquarters on Sunday for 24 hours.

Defender David O’Connor and Mitch Jordan are struggling with injuries, while veteran midfielder Adrian Fenlon, who damaged ankle ligaments in the Leinster final against Kilkenny, is given ‘little or no hope’ of playing.

Meanwhile, Laois have made four changes for their relegation semi-final against Dublin at Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Kevin Galvin, defenders Brian Campion and Cahir Healy and midfielder Enda Maher are promoted in place of Paddy Mullaney (thumb injury), Joe Fitzpatrick (ankle injury), and both Pat Mahon and captain Joe Phelan who are on holidays.

Tyrone have also dropped goalkeeper John Devine for tomorrow’s Ulster SFC final replay with Armagh at Croke Park.

Devine’s place is taken by Pascal McConnell, no stranger to the big-time.

Peter Canavan, who had been carrying an injury from the drawn game, has been passed fit and will line-out at right corner-forward.

Canavan took a full part in last night’s training session at Clogher and manager Mickey Harte had no hesitation in naming the All-Ireland winning skipper in the team.

Armagh have made two changes and have also left a vacancy at midfield.

Peter Loughran comes in at midfield for the injured John Toal, while John McEntee replaces his twin brother Tony on the 40. Martin O’Rourke started at right half-forward in the drawn game but picked up an injury and was forced to retire.

In the event of O’Rourke missing out, Paddy McKeever is likely to deputise.

WATERFORD (SHC v Cork): C. Hennessy; T. Feeney, F. Hartley, J. Murray; T. Browne, K. McGrath, E. Murphy; D. Bennett, E. Kelly; D. Shanahan, M. Walsh, P. Flynn; J. Mullane, S. Prendergast, J. Kennedy.

LAOIS (SHC v Dublin): K. Galvin; B. Campion, P. Cuddy, C. Healy; M. McEvoy, John Walsh, S. O’Dwyer; James Walsh, E. Maher; J. Rowney, J. Young, L. Tynan; T. Fitzgerald, M. Rooney, D. Culleton.

TYRONE (SFC v Armagh): P. McConnell; R. McMenamin, C. Lawn, S. Sweeney; D. Harte, G. Devlin, P. Jordan; C. Gourmley, S. Cavanagh; B. Dooher, B. McGuigan, M. Penrose; P. Canavan, S. O’Neill, E. McGinley.

ARMAGH (SFC v Tyrone): P. Hearty; M. Allen, F. Bellew, E. McNulty; A. Kernan, K. McGeeney, A. O’Rourke; P. Loughran, P. McGrane; AN Other, J. McEntee, O. McConville; S. McDonnell, R. Clarke, B. Mallon.