Lucky 13 get call-up for All-Star trip east

THE defection of all of Cork’s award winners opened the door for 13 replacements to be included in the 2004 and 2005 Vodafone All-Star teams which will play an exhibition game in Singapore on Saturday.

The All-Ireland champions had Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Sean Óg Ó hAilpín and Jerry O'Connor chosen as All-Stars both years, along with four others in 2004 and a further three last year. The panels announced yesterday are notable for the inclusion of seven players from Waterford, six from All-Ireland runners-up Galway and five from Clare.

The teams will be managed by Cork coach John Allen and his predecessor Donal O'Grady. Allen returned from South Africa with the Cork squad at the weekend and while admitting a disappointment that none of his players can travel, he stressed all of them withdrew for genuine reasons.