Minor champions Tipp wary of major Kirby threat

DEFENDING champions Tipperary have left a vacancy at corner forward for tonight’s Munster MHC semi-final against Limerick as they wait for fitness reports on two players who are in line for the position.

he team for the Thurles clash shows four changes from the side that defeated Waterford in round one. Gone are JB McCarthy and Brendan Hanley in defence, replaced by Sean Ryan and Richie McGrath; Michael Heffernan comes in for Colm Cleary at midfield, while James Woodlock takes over from Colm Larkin in attack.

Team coach Paddy McCormack is predicting a very close affair, saying: “We have prepared well and as the defending champions won’t be easily beaten, but with minor players it’s all on the night. Our team is very young with just one player, David Morrissey, from last year’s winning side included. From reports Limerick have also prepared well and we’ll have to keep a close eye on their senior player Patrick Kirby if we are to succeed.”

Home advantage should be worth a few points to Tipperary but Limerick are due a change of fortune at this level having had some disastrous results in recent years; and if Kirby hits form they could surprise the champions.

The Cork selectors have made two changes from the team which defeated Clare in round one for tonight’s semi-final repeat against the Banner County in Kilmallock.

Brendan Ring, who cried off the night of the first game, returns while Kevin Canty is preferred to Muiris O’Sullivan. Canty will play at left half forward with Michael Allen moving into O’Sullivan’s place at right corner forward.

The selectors have left a vacancy at midfield in the hope that Mark Harrington, who was sent off in a recent club game, is cleared to play. Harrington was hugely influential in the first game scoring three excellent long-range points. His absence would make it more difficult for Cork to repeat their earlier victory.

TIPPERARY (MH v Limerick): D Egan (Kildangan); I Delaney (Brackens), S Ryan (Moneygall), B O’Sullivan (Sarsfields); R McGrath (Carrick Davins), P Stapleton (Borrisoleigh), C Hayes (Kildangan); K Bergin (Killenaule), M Heffernan (Gortnahoe); D Morrissey (Galtee Rovers), P Ryan (Sean Treacys), J Woodlock (Drom/Inch); R Ruth (Sarsfields ), D Sheppard (Moycarkey), AN Other. Subs: P Ryan (Killenaule), N Teehan (Gortnahoe), JB McCarthy (Golden), B Hanly (Lattin/Cullen), R McLoughney (Kilruane), T King (Sarsfields), C O’Brien (Eire Og/Annacarty), D Hickey (Boherlahan), J McLoughney (Toomevara), C Larkin (Borrisokane).

LIMERICK (MH v Tipperary): M Fitzgerald (Doon); N Morrissey (Kildimo), H Foster (Bruff), S Walsh (Glenroe); D Moloney (Doon), O Benson (Dromin/Athlacca), D Breen (Na Piarsaigh); P Russell (Monaleen), P McNamara (Murroe/Boher), E O’Leary (Dromin/Athlacca), P Cregan (Cregan); R Ryan (Doon), S Ryan (Dromin/Athlacca), P Kirby (Knockainey).

CORK (MH v Clare): C Barry (St Vincents); E O’Sullivan (Ballyhea), N Horgan (Glen Rovers), M Foley (Carrigtwohill); S O’Neill (Bishopstown), M Aherne (Ballinhassig), B Clifford (Lisgoold); D Lucey (Bandon); AN Other; B Barry (Killeagh), B Coleman (Ballyhea), K Canty (Valley Rovers); M Allen (Ballygiblin); A Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh), B Ring (Youghal)

TIPPERARY (IH v Clare): D Hogan; G Griffin, P Buckley, M Phelan; C Everard, S Maher, H Moloney; T Slevin, B Hogan; E Ryan, T Scroope, T Connors; K Neylon, T Moylin, S Everard. Subs: S McGrath, R O’Brien, B Gaynor, L O’Connor, E Hanley, P Cosgrove, R Stanley, J Moran, H Flannery