Hardiman is a firm believer in continuity

GALWAY under 21 hurling manager John Hardiman makes light of the fact that his side go into this afternoon's All-Ireland semi-final against Wexford in Thurles (3.30 pm) without a championship game played.

The secondary school teacher who guided Galway to back-to-back minor All-Ireland titles in 1999 and 2000, took over the under 21 team from former senior Brendan Lynsky this year and said it was a natural thing to do.

"When Brendan stepped down I felt it was right to take the job. I'd been involved with two winning minor teams and I'm a firm believer in continuity.

"Despite the fact that we've had no first round game is not a draw back as we've played a lot of games since early in the season, and for that I have to thank the senior and intermediate selectors for their co-operation.

"All the players have been very active with their clubs so their fitness is not in question. It's was really a case of getting them to gel together as a team and I feel they have done that.

"It's a huge game for us, and one we want to win badly. The under 21 grade hasn't been kind to Galway in recent years, and winning minor All-Ireland titles is no automatic guarantee of under 21 or senior success.

"Certainly we have the players to win, but Wexford will be no pushover. They came very close to winning it last year failing by a single point and with over half of that team available, they will fancy their chances."

Wexford have the bulk of last year's team and with two victories under their belt, this will make them slight favourites to win, but only if they field at full strength. There are fitness worries surrounding four key players, MJ Furlong, Willie Doran, Eoin Quigley and Shane O'Neill and their absence would shorten the odds.

Galway are due to turn the corner in this grade and if seniors Ger Farragher, Richie Murray and Damien Hayes strike form, they could make it a repeat of last year's final.

Meanwhile defending champions Limerick who retained their Munster title in dramatic fashion earlier in the week, will be without team captain Peter Lawlor for their All-Ireland semi-final against Antrim in Parnell Park tomorrow (1.30 pm).

He received a blow to the leg in the opening 20 seconds of the Munster final, but after playing the opening half, the leg seized up and he was unable to resume.

The strength of the Limerick panel could well be tested to the limit as they have also to line out without regular full back Brian Carroll and midfielder Michael O'Donnell, both of whom failed to play on Wednesday night.

Team coach David Keane has wasted no time in bringing his charges back down to earth following their historic win over Tipperary, and has cautioned them to be on their guard against the northerners.

"They have seven seniors on their team and you recall how well Antrim did against Tipperary in the All-Ireland quarter-final. We'll take nothing for granted against them I can assure you."

The curtain-raiser at Semple Stadium is the All-Ireland under 21 'B' HC final between Kerry and Carlow, with both counties badly needing a win to keep the game going in their counties.

Kerry have produced a number of very good minor teams in recent years and the outstanding vocational achievements of Causeway Comprehensive School has ensured there are plenty of good players interested in the game in the Kingdom.

Today's final is a repeat of last year's which Kerry won, and according to Carlow's secretary Tom O'Neill, "We need this one. It's an All-Ireland final and those promoting the game in the county are very serious about it. A national title would be a big boost."

CARLOW (U-21 HC v Kerry): E. Spruhan (Namoh Eoin); C. Nolan (do.), L. Kenny (Carlow Town), M. Keogh (St. Mullins); W. Hickey (Mt. Leinster Rangers), A. Nolan (Naomh Brid), S. Kavanagh (Naomh Eoin); S. Smithers (do.),P. Coady (St. Mullins); AN Other, A. Brennan (Naomh Brid), B. Lawlor (do.); P. Keogh (St. Mullins), M. Brennan (Naomh Brid), J. Coady (Mt. Leinster Rangers).

KERRY (U-21 HC v Carlow): G. Fealy (Abbeydorney); P. McCarthy (Kilmoyley), M. Lucid (Ballyheigue), C. Gentleman (Kilmoyley); P. O'Grady (Ballyduff), A. Keane (Croata O'Neills), AN Other; E. Corridan St. Brendans ), D. Young (Kilmoyley); L. Brick (do.) ,K. Dowling (Lixnaw), P. Randles (Kenmare); C. Dineen (Causeway), G. O'Brien (Ballyduff), M. O'Conway (Lixnaw).