Kelly to skipper Waterford hurlers

John Murphy

An Allstar in 2003, it will be the 23-year-old’s first time to skipper the county team.

Kelly, who was recently appointed vice-captain of his club team, has quickly established himself as one of the top forwards in the game.

He takes over the county captaincy from clubmate Ken McGrath, who led the Déise to Munster championship glory last year after they defeated Cork.

Ironically, Kelly has had to forego Waterford’s holiday to South Africa this week because of work commitments. The only other first team member unable to make the trip is Lismore’s Dave Bennett.

Waterford will have their first outing of the year on February 5 when they play Limerick in an annual AIB-sponsored tournament game in Dungarvan.

They will play Tipperary (away) the next day in another tournament game. Their National League campaign gets underway with a home game at Walsh Park against neighbours Kilkenny on February 20.

Meanwhile, Galway hurling champions Athenry are set for a major showdown with their County Board and the Connacht Council ahead of next month’s All-Ireland semi-final clash against Toomevara.

Athenry lodged a formal request on Sunday night with the Connacht Council, asking it to open a full investigation into the six-month suspension handed down to wing-back Shane Donohue following a bad-tempered county quarter-final against Loughrea in September.

Two players, Athenry’s John Feeney and Loughrea’ Greg Kennedy, were sent off in the match which Athenry won by 2-8 to 0-15. Donohue was suspended by the Galway GAC for six months and that a was upheld by the Connacht Council, but Athenry claim they now have evidence that there was “a clear breach of rules” by the Galway GAC.

A vote of no confidence in the officers of the Galway GAC was unanimously passed at the Athenry AGM before Christmas.

In a letter to the Connacht Council, the club stated: “We are satisfied that there was a clear breach of rules and normal procedures were not followed and adhered to in relation to the investigation by the Galway GAC into the alleged offence committed by Shane Donohue and other matters relating to this game.”

Athenry claim the Galway GAC did not adhere to Croke Park guidelines and some evidence used by them was not disclosed to Athenry or the player at the suspension hearing.

Donohue missed the Galway county final win over reigning champions Portumna and will also miss the All-Ireland semi-final against

Tipperary’s Toomevara on February 13.