Star Kilkenny quartet return to bolster UCC

THE Evening Echo Co SHC semi-final between Newtownshandrum and St Finbarr’s definitely goes ahead at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday following the decision of the Munster Council to rule the Erins Own appeal out of order.

The Caherlag club appealed to the Provincial Council against the decision of the Cork County Board to rule them out of their championship for failing to fulfil a quarter-final tie against Newtownshandrum.

Cork’s recent All-Ireland hurling success has added greatly to the county championship and Sunday’s two semi-finals should draw a huge crowd to Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

UCC, who dumped defending champions Na Piarsaigh out of the championship in the quarter-final, are strengthened by the return of Kilkenny seniors John Tennyson, Tommy Walsh, Michael Rice and James Fitzpatrick, all of whom missed that game due to county commitments.

However, their return is tempered by the unavailability of Noel Moloney and Richie Flannery. Both will be on club duty with Éire Óg, Nenagh in the Tipperary semi-final.

Moloney’s free taking against Na Piarsaigh was exemplary, while Flannery, normally a centre-back, played the proverbial blinder at centre-forward.

Cloyne have no such worries and will pick from a full deck. They have made no secret of their ambitions this season and the fact that they were back in training just three days after Cork’s All-Ireland triumph speaks volumes for their commitment.

St. Finbarr’s are also injury free and are confident they can repeat their victory of 2001 over Newtownshandrum. The North Cork side got through to this stage of the championship when Erins Own were ruled out after they failed to play the quarter-final.

Newtown have been inactive for weeks due to Cork’s involvement, and could have done with a competitive match ahead of this one. James Bowles continues to be an absentee. He has fallen arches and while he had done some light training, the county U- 21 player has no chance of playing.

Apart from a place in the final for the winners, there is the question of the captaincy and a selector with the Cork team for 2006 for the eventual champions. With Cork going for three in a row next year, all four clubs will want to be involved. Expect Sunday’s semi-finals to be well above the ordinary as a consequence.