Devanney Tipp ace for Limerick tie

TIPPERARY have named five members of last year’s Munster U21 HC winning side for tonight’s provincial semi-final against Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.

Patrick McCormack, Conor O’Mahony, Wayne Cully, Francis Devanney and Tony Scroope played in last year’s final victory over Cork. Devanney is the only current senior on the team.

Limerick include two seniors, Pat Kirby and Andrew O’Shaughnessy, while senior panellist Alan O’Connor is also on the starting 15.

Their selectors have made three changes from the team which beat Kerry in the opening round. Garrett Heagney Eddie Kiely and Brian Murray come in for Damien Moloney, Wayne McNamara and Michael Fitzgerald.

Injuries picked up in last Sunday’s senior qualifier against Waterford has forced Clare manager Mike McNamara to postpone naming his team to play Cork in their semi-final in Thurles tonight, until just before throw-in.

John Coen is a definite non starter with an ankle injury, Tyrone Kearse is only coming back from a broken ankle while Kilmaley’s Kenneth Kennedy is struggling with a knee injury.

Cork have made two changes from the team which defeated Waterford by 10 points in the first round.

Kevin Canty, who was unavailable with exams, comes in to lead the Cork attack in place of James Bowles, while Ronan Conway, one of last year’s successful minors, is preferred to Donal Cronin at left half forward.

LIMERICK (U21H v Tipperary): B. Murray (Patrickswell); D. Moloney (Doon), E. Kiely (do.), S. Walsh (Glenroe); G. Heagney (Portumna), E. Benson (Dromin/Athlacca), D. Breen (Na Piarsaigh); M. Noonan (Adare), B. Hanley (Granagh/Ballingarry); P. Kirby (Knockainey), P. McNamara (Murroe/Boher), P. Russell (Monaleen); A. O’Shaughnessy (Kilmallock), A. O’Connor (Ballybrown), E. Ryan (Kilmallock).

Subs: M. Fitzgerald (Doon), W. McNamara (Adare), R. Ryan (Doon), R. Hayes (Desmonds), A. Brennan (Caherline), P. Carroll (Feohanagh), D. Moloney (Effin), M. Cleary (Knockainey), A. O’Connell (Adare).

TIPPERARY (U21H v Limerick): P. McCormack (Thurles Sarsfields); J O’Dwyer (Killenaule), C. O’Mahoney (Newport), B. Hanley (Lattin-Cullen); C. O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty), N. Teehan (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), T. Collins (Ballina); S. McGrath (Ballinahinch), W. Cully (Thurles Sarsfields); R. O’Dwyer (Cashel King Cormacs), F. Devanney (Toomevara), D. Egan (Kildangan); T. Scroope (Burgess), T. Fitzgerald (Roscrea), P. Shortt (Upperchurch-Drombane)

CORK (U21H v Clare): A. Nash (Kanturk); P. Fitzgerald (Erin’s Own), D. McSweeney (Blarney), E. O’Sullivan (Ballyhea); S. O’Neill (Bishopstown), K. Hartnett (Russell Rovers), S. Cronin (St. Marys/UCC); PJ Copps (Charleville), M. Naughton (Cloyne); S. O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), K. Canty (Valley Rovers), R. Conway (Bishopstown); M. O’Sullivan (Ballyhea), B. Barry (Killeagh), D. Dorris (Glen Rovers).

Subs: S. Bowen (Erins Own), D. Cunningham (Glen Rovers), A. Ryan (Midleton), A. Dunlea (Glen Rovers), B. Coleman (Ballyhea), D. Cronin (Glen Rovers), J. Bowles (Newtownshandrum), G. Loughlin (Sarsfields), M. Cussen (do.).