Tipp big guns back for Offaly clash

TIPPERARY have named a strong side for next Sunday’s Allianz NHL quarter-final clash with Offaly in Thurles.

Goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, corner-back Michael Ryan, centre-back Declan Fanning, wing-back Benny Dunne, midfielder Paul Kelly and forwards Colin Morrissey and Eoin Kelly all missed the last qualification game against Laois.

Cummins takes over in goal from Damien Young, Ryan comes back in place of Eamonn Buckley, Fanning replaces Conor O’Mahoney, with Dunne preferred to Hugh Moloney at left half-back.

Paul Kelly resumes at midfield with James Woodlock dropping down to the bench, while Morrissey and Eoin Kelly replace Eoin Brislane and Danny Egan in a revamped attacking unit.

Offaly will announce their team tomorrow night after corner-forward Brian Carroll and Alan Egan complete fitness tests.

Laois, who will announce their team later in the week to play Kerry in the Allianz NFL League semi-final in Killarney on Sunday, have three players on the treatment bench.

Chris Conway picked up a knee injury in last weekend’s derby draw with Kildare, while Padraig McMahon damaged his back before the game, and Aidan Fennelly has a hamstring injury.

Experienced defender Shane Carr has quit the Donegal team ahead of Sunday’s NFL Division 2 semi-final against Westmeath at Kingspan/Breffni Park.

While the official line is he has decided to concentrate on club football, it’s understood that the Four Masters wing-back is frustrated at a player who had breached discipline in the camp being selected ahead of him for a recent league match.

The loss of county senior player John Hayes for tomorrow night’s Munster U21FC final against Waterford at Páirc Uí Rinn (7pm) will reduce Cork’s chances of making it three titles in-a-row.

Hayes, who broke a bone in his hand in the semi-final win over Tipperary, is ruled out of the first Munster football final of the season. Brian Cotter, who came on for Hayes in the semi-final, keeps his place at centre-forward.

Cork are chasing their 19th title in the grade, and their first three-in-a-row since 1984-’86. Waterford have won the title only once, in 2003.

Team coach Tony Leahy said Cork played Waterford some weeks ago in a challenge game and didn’t have things all their own way.

“We’ll be taking nothing for granted tomorrow night. Waterford football is on the rise. Their senior win over Cavan last Sunday was a big surprise to everyone but themselves and they make no secret of their desire to win the U21 title.”

Waterford make one change in personnel from the side that shocked Clare in the semi-final.

Clashmore’s Killian O’Keeffe has been named at right half-forward as it was his superbly taken point that edged Waterford in front within minutes of his introduction in the closing stages of the semi-final.

The player to lose out is full-forward Maurice O’Gorman, and in a reshuffled attack, Patrick Hurney - scorer of the clinching goal in the semi-final - moves from wing-forward to O’Gorman’s berth on the fringe of the square, with Ian Cantwell switching from right to left half-forward to accommodate O’Keeffe.

TIPPERARY (SH v Offaly): B. Cummins; P. Curran, P. Maher, M. Ryan; E. Corcoran, D. Fanning, B. Dunne; P. Kelly, S. McGrath; C. Morrissey, J. Carroll, K. Dunne; E. Kelly, M. Webster, G. O’Grady.

CORK (U21FC v Waterford): K. O’Halloran (Bishopstown); R. Carey (Clyda Rovers), C. Murphy (St Michael’s), S. O’Donoghue (Ballincollig); D. Limrick (Castlehaven), M. Shields (St Finbarr’s), E. Cadogan (Douglas); A. O’Connor (St Colm’s), P. Kelly (Ballincollig); F. Gould (Macroom), B. Cotter (Ballincollig), P. Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers); D. Goulding (Eire Og), P. O’Flynn (Ballyclough), R. Leahy (St Finbarrs).

Subs: D. Moynihan (Aghabullogue), G. O’Shea (Nemo Rangers), N. Horgan (St Nicholas), C. O’Neill (Shamrocks), A. O’Sullivan (Castletownbere), F. Lynch (Valley Rovers), C. Callanan (Clonakilty), C. Keane (Newcestown), J. Murphy (Glanmire).

WATERFORD (U21FC v Cork): P. Walsh (Nire); K. McBride (De La Salle). T. O’Gorman. J. Seaward (Clashmore); S. Lannon (Stradbally), D. Hickey (Brickey Rangers), M. Whelan (Tramore); M. Fives (Ballinacourty), S. Prendergast (Kilrossanty); K. O’Keeffe (Clashmore), P. Phelan (Ballinacourty), I. Cantwell (De La Salle); S. Fleming (Clashmore), P. Hurney (Ballinacourty), G. O’Connor (Gaultier).

LIMERICK (MFC v Waterford): C. Carberry (South Liberties); J. Hoare (Monaleen), M. McCormack (Crecora), M. Dowling (Newcastle West), J. Carroll (Croom), M. Scannell (Fr Casey’s), E. Gleeson (Cappamore); I. Burke (Oola), R. Mullane (St Patrick’s); A. O’Neill (Bruff), G. Collins (Milford), S. Scanlon (Mungret), S. McCarthy (Granagh-Ballingarry), M. Quilligan (Newcastle West), I. Ryan (St Senan’s).

WATERFORD (MFC v Limerick): K. McDonagh (Gaultier); J. O’Mahony (Ballinacourty), A. Doyle (Stradbally), E. Brackett (Ballinacourty); D. Goggin (Tramore), G. Dunphy (St Mary’s), P. Mulhearne (Kilmacthomas); T. Prendergast (Kilrossanty), R. Ahearne (Stradbally); E. Cummins (St Mary’s), C. McGrath (Brickey Rangers), G. Dunphy (Roanmore); C. Lawlor (Stradbally), C. Casey (do), C. Power (Brickey Rangers).