Galway name three seniors on U-21 team for Wexford clash

GALWAY include three seniors on their under-21 team to play Wexford in the All-Ireland hurling championship semi-final at Semple Stadium tomorrow, at 3.30pm.

Ger Farragher who came on as a sub in the senior quarter-final against Clare, partners David Forde at midfield; Richie Murray is named at right half forward while Damien Hayes is picked at right corner forward.

This will be Galway’s first outing in this year’s championship which is a huge drawback to them. Twelve months ago they failed to the eventual champions Limerick at the same stage.

Wexford on the other hand have had wins over Kilkenny in the Leinster championship before surviving against Dublin in the final. They failed to Limerick in a marvellous final last year and would dearly love another crack off the Shannonsiders who look likely to reach the final again this year.

Injuries to four key players has caused Wexford to postpone naming their team until the day of the game. Sean O’Neill, Eoin Quigley, Willie Doran and MJ Furlong are all on the treatment table and are considered very doubtful.

The Leinster champions will include over half of the team which failed to Limerick in last year’s final with current seniors David O’Connor, Darren Stamp, Barry Lambert, Rory Jacob and hopefully MJ Furlong, leading their challenge.

The newly crowned Munster champions play Antrim in the second All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday in Parnell Park at 1.30pm, and after the drama of Wednesday night, are unlikely to slip up here.

Limerick captain Peter Lawlor is definitely out. He received a nasty leg injury seconds into the Munster final. He managed to play the first half but failed to appear for the second and looked very uncomfortable as he hobbled up to collect the cup at the final whistle.

“Wednesday’s victory was magnificent in that we had to do it the hard way,” said team coach David Keane.

“We went into the game without two key players, lost our captain for the entire second half and extra time and still came out on top.

“It shows the value of a very strong panel. Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final will be a repeat of three years ago when Antrim gave us enough of it for three quarters of an hour.

“They have seven seniors on their team and you recall how well Antrim did against Tipperary in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

With the injuries we now have players will be playing for places, hopefully for the final.”

GALWAY (U-21 HC v Wexford); Adrian Diviney (Oranmore-Maree); B. Mahony (Loughrea), S. Kavanagh (Kinvara), F. Moore (Turloughmore); Aidan Diviney (Beagh), C. Dervan (Mullagh), MJ Quinn (Athenry); G. Farragher (Castlegar), D. Forde (Clarenbridge); R. Murray (St. Thomas), M. Coughlan (Craughwell), A. Cullinane (do.); D. Hayes (Portumna), K. Brady (Castlegar), D. Greene (Ardrahan).

KERRY (MF v Meath): B. Sheehan (St. Marys); M. Breen (Beaufort), C. O´ Ceilleachair (An Gaeltacht), JM Clifford (St. Marys); J. Brosnan (Dingle), M. Cronin (Finuge), P. Sheehan (Dromin Pearses); D. Walsh (Cromane), P. Madden (Kerins O’Rahillys), M. Riordan (Rathmore), D. O’Sullivan (Lispoole), C. MacGearailt (An Gaeltacht); B. Brosnan (Kilcummin), D. Doona (Beaufort), C. O’Connor (Laune Rangers). Subs. S. Clifford (Laune Rangers), D. Breen (Beaufort), P. Heaslip (Kerins O’Rahillys), D. Casey (Rathmore), D. McCarthy (Glenflesk), M. MacGearailt (An Gaeltacht), L. Sheehan (Keel), P. Fitzmaurice (Dingle), K. Scannell (Kerins O’Rahillys).

MEATH (MF v Kerry): M. Brennan (Navan O’Mahonys); B. O’Reilly (Dee Rangers), T. O’Connor (St. Peters Dunboyne), D. O’Halloran (St. Cuthberts); S. Stephens (Dunsany), C. King (St. Martins), E. Dunne (Boardsmill); J. Melia (Moylagh), F. Murphy (Trim); D. Murtagh (Navan O’Mahonys), P. Murray (St. Cuthberts), G. McCullagh (Rathoath); B. Regan (O’Mahonys), J. Sheridan (Yellow Furze), B. Farrell (Dee Rangers).