Setanta passed fit to face Australia
Ó hAilpín, a 2003 hurling All-Star for Cork, had his first training session with Ireland on Thursday, dispelling doubts that he was carrying an injury.
Though his first season with Aussie Rules club Carlton was disrupted by a stress fracture of the foot, the problem has healed and he received medical clearance to play.
The Cork man and Kerry native Tadhg Kennelly of the Sydney Swans will give valuable insight into the Australian set-up.
Also joining the squad is Galway’s Joe Bergin, who took part in last year’s test series in Australia. Their addition will be a welcome boost for manager Pete McGrath, who has lost captain Pádraig Joyce, Fermanagh’s Barry Owens and Tyrone’s Ryan McMenamin through injury.
Meanwhile, the British Provincial Council have called an emergency meeting tomorrow in Birmingham to deal with the status of the club championship in Britain. GAA bosses are seeking to revamp the current system in Britain to have only the London senior clubs take part in the senior championship, with the winners going into the qualifying round with the semi-finalists in Ireland.
Meanwhile the county championships nationwide edge closer to decision stage across the land.
Having already helped his native Clare to two All-Ireland SHC titles, Tony Considine has Limerick’s Garryspillane within touching distance of their first county SHC title. Tomorrow they clash with eight times winners Kilmallock in the semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds.
The South Limerick club are spearheaded by county star TJ Ryan and Frankie Carroll, members of the county side which lost to Offaly and Wexford respectively in the ’94 and ’96 All-Ireland finals. Dave Clarke and Mike Houlihan, who played in both those finals, line out for Kilmallock.
In the other semi-final, new favourites Ahane clash with surprise packet Knockainey, who will be making their first appearance as a senior club at the Gaelic Grounds. They shocked 2003 champions Patrickswell last day out.
Meanwhile, county football star Owen Keating has a heavy schedule on Saturday. At 2.30pm he will line out for Limerick FC in their crucial league game against Dundalk, and will then drive the 26 miles to Kilmallock to assist Monaleen in their SFC semi final meeting against holders Drom-Broadford at 5.30pm.
In the other semi final St Senan’s test their skills against Newcastle West.
Across the Shannon former Allstar full back Brian Lohan is expected to line out for Wolfe Tones against St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield in the Clare SHC quarter-final at Cusack Park, Ennis tomorrow.
Lohan, plagued by a hamstring problem all season, was forced out of the All-Ireland SHC qualifier loss to Kilkenny after 10 minutes and has not played since. However, he is set to return against the mighty Ennis side which captured three Clare championships, two Munster titles and one All-Ireland club championship in a golden spell from 1998 to 2002.
In the other quarter-final, also at Cusack Park on Sunday, former All-Ireland club winners Sixmilebridge take on Kilmaley.
Because on the involvement of three players, Evan Sweeney, Francis Devanney and Willie Ryan in today’s All-Ireland U21 final, the Tipperary County Board has scheduled the SHC quarter-final between Toomevara and Loughmore for Templemore on Tuesday (5pm). The winners will meet Mullinahone in the semi-final the following Sunday, with the final fixed for October 10.
It’s a busy weekend in Wexford with all four hurling quarter-finals to be decided. Champions Rathnure take on Duffry at Enniscorthy this evening (5pm, preceded by the meeting of Oulart-the-Ballagh and Cloughbawn, (3.30pm). Tomorrow at Wexford Park, Glynn-Barntown take on Oylegate-Glenbrien, (2pm) while St. Anne’s and Buffers Alley complete the pairing at 3.30pm.
