Players count down to club semi-finals

THE four clubs remaining in the All-Ireland Club senior hurling championship are back in training and counting down to their semi-finals next month.

On February 12, from opposite ends of the country, Newtownshandrum of Cork meet Down champions Ballygalget in Portlaoise, while on the same day, at the same time, Thurles hosts Portumna and All-Ireland champions James Stephens of Kilkenny.

James Stephens were back into action early this year, albeit after taking a bit of a break, explains team manager Adrian Finan.