Kearns gives Quane little chance of facing Kerry

JOHN QUANE is unlikely to be in the starting 15 when the Limerick selectors sit down tomorrow night to pick their team for Sunday’s Munster SFC final against Kerry.

“We won’t start him unless he is fully fit,” team coach Liam Kearns said, “and right now he is not fully fit. He’ll be a huge loss to us if he fails to line out, as we’ll need all our big name players for this one.”

Quane damaged his ankle five weeks ago but recovered sufficiently to play against Clare in the semi-final. He came through that game okay but then aggravated the injury in a challenge game.

“John did some light jogging at the weekend,” Kearns said, “but at this point in time he is given little chance of starting.”

Limerick have no other injury worries as they face Kerry for the first time since the 1991 decider when they scored 3-12 but lost by two points. However, Kearns will be keeping his fingers crossed that Conor Fitzgerald doesn’t pick up any injury during tomorrow night’s Munster U21HC semi-final in Cork.

Tipperary, who lost the toss for their All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Galway on Sunday, will be without Noel Morris and Eugene O’Neill. Morris has a hip injury which is slow in responding to treatment while O’Neill is still struggling with a half injury. There is some concern about Tom Costelloe, who injured his back at home, while Paul Kelly continues to be troubled with a hamstring injury.

To add to team coach Michael Doyle’s worries, Tipperary play Clare in the Munster U21 HC semi-final tomorrow night in Cusack Park where five of his squad, Eoin Kelly, Martin Maher, John Devane, Eamon Ryan and Noel Fitzgerald, will be involved.

One piece of good news for Doyle is that Eamon Corcoran will be available for selection following his completion of a 12-week suspension.

Goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, who pulled a hamstring during a club game a fortnight ago is fully recovered and eagerly looking forward to the Galway clash.

“Having missed out on the rigours of a Munster final we are well rested now,” Cummins said. “It should be some game and both teams are going to find out just how good they are. It could make or break either team”.

Meanwhile, Kerry, who will contest their seventh Munster minor final in a row on Sunday, will be without Dan Doona for the clash with Cork.

Doona, a student at Intermediate School Killorglin, received a straight red card during Kerry’s semi-final win over Clare, and will be a big loss to the defending champions.

Cork have no such worries but will await fitness reports on Alan O’Connor and Brian Cotter before naming their team tonight.

Both players were substituted in the semi-final after receiving heavy knocks.

Cork, who play Limerick in the Munster U21HC semi-final tomorrow night, won’t know until tonight if Setanta Ó hAilpín will be available to play. The Na Piarsaigh youngster received a straight red card during a county SFL game against Dohenys on Saturday night and what the referee reports him for will determine whether he will be available for the glamour clash with the provincial and All-Ireland champions. It is expected his case will be dealt with at tonight’s County Board meeting.