Selectors have fully fit squad to draw on

THE Waterford selectors are expected to name the team for Sunday's All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Clare after training tonight.

Manager Justin McCarthy and selectors Colm Bonnar and Seamie Hannon have an injury-free panel: Captain Fergal Hartley did miss a few training sessions following a challenge game against Antrim but there is no concern about his fitness.

There is speculation that Lismore clubman Dave Bennett could force himself into the side as midfield partner for Tony Browne. Bennett sparkled in post-Munster final challenge games against Antrim and the Limerick Under 21s. If Bennett is given the nod then the player most vulnerable might well be Tallow’s James Murray in defence. Eoin Murphy and Peter Queally could be the pair to flank Hartley in the pivotal berth, and were Murray to lose out then a fullback line of Brian Greene, Tom Feeney and Brian Flannery might be the one to front automatic goalkeeping choice Stephen Brenner.

It is expected that the same attacking sextet which shone against Tipperary will be named to face the Banner. That would mean no places for former Tipp star Andy Moloney and Dan Shanahan, both of whom were introduced as late substitutes in the Munster final.

“Everything has gone absolutely according to plan and we couldn’t have asked for better any preparation,” Colm Bonnar said yesterday.

Meanwhile the Clare hurling selectors have reported no injuries as they tonight select their.

Selector John Minogue admitted yesterday that “a number of players have some niggling injuries but it looks as if we will be at full strength for Sunday’s game”.

Following last Sunday week’s one-point victory over Galway in the quarter-final at headquarters, the mood in the Banner camp is upbeat and the hurling fraternity in the county are looking forward to the meeting with Waterford in the all-Munster clash, their first championship tie since 1998.

On the issue of tickets, county secretary and father of goalkeeper David, Pat Fitzgerald, who has responsibility for the distribution of tickets for next Sunday’s game, said, “It’s hard to gauge the demand for tickets in the county at the moment, there isn’t a trend as of yet.”

He confirmed that the first batch were distributed to the clubs on Friday last and that another allocation would be allocated tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Limerick, going for an unprecedented three-in-a-row Munster under 21 hurling championship titles, are awaiting fitness reports on Eoin Foley and Maurice O’Brien before selecting their team to play Tipperary in the final at Thurles on Thursday.

Both players picked up injuries while assisting their clubs in the domestic championship. Manager Dave Keane said that the burden of going for a hat-trick, and thus making Limerick GAA history, was not playing on their minds. “We won three games by a single point last year and if it is only a point again between us on Thursday, I will not mind, provided of course it is in our favour.”

On their way to the final Limerick disposed of Clare and Cork, while Tipp accounted for Waterford and Kerry.