Down boss O’Rourke sweats on key duo

DOWN won’t announce their team for Sunday’s Ulster SFC quarter-final clash with Donegal in Ballybofey until after the team’s training session tonight.

Dan McCartan and goalkeeper Micky McVeigh are both struggling with knee injury problems and team manager Paddy O’Rourke will give them every chance to declare their fitness.

Meanwhile, Richie Power is likely to miss out on Kilkenny’s Leinster SHC semi-final clash with Westmeath on June 10 because of bone damage sustained in a recent club game.

He is expected to be fit for the final should Kilkenny reach that stage. UCD student Brian Barry has dropped himself off the panel to concentrate on his studies.

Tipperary manager Len Gaynor has been forced to make one change to his intermediate team for Sunday’s Munster championship semi-final clash with Waterford in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Joe Dixon of Moycarkey-Borris club is ruled out due to a broken finger and is replaced by his clubmate David Shephard.

The draws for the All-Ireland football qualifiers will be made in Páirc Uí Chaoimh after Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final clash between Tipperary and Waterford. At that point all the qualifiers should be known.

Meanwhile Mickey Moran will bring the Mayo senior football team to the Algarve for seven days of intensive training next Tuesday.

The vastly-experienced Moran and his selectors, John Morrisson and Kieran Gallagher, will spend a week with their 30-man squad in the Browne’s Sport resort in Portugal.

Mayo cruised to a convincing 1-18 to 0-8 victory over London at Ruislip last Sunday, with Conor Mortimer contributing a handsome 1-8 haul on his return to competitive action following suspension.

Moran’s charges will face a steadily improving Leitrim outfit on June 25 in Carrick-on-Shannon.

TIPPERARY (IHC v Waterford): V. Doheny (Mullinahone); S. Hickey (Boherlahan-Dualla), P. Shanahan (Sean Treacys), M. Phelan (Ballybacon-Grange); A. Kelly (Ballinahinch), C. Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy), B. Hogan (Burgess, capt.); S. Stapleton (Golden-Kilfeacle), C. O’Brien (Eire Og Annacarty); D. Sheppard (Moycarkey/Borris), S. Sweeney (Ballybacon-Grange), E. Ryan (Sean Treacys); W. Keogh (Silvermines), A. Fitzgerald (Fethard), R. O’Brien (Eire Óg Annacarty).

* The draw for the remaining rounds of the Cork Premier IHC has been made. The draw is:

Round 2: St. Finbarr’s v Inniscarra; Ballyhea v Argideen Rangers; Carrigtwohill v Ballincollig.

Round 3: A, Courcey Rovers v Bishopstown; B, Mallow v Newcestown; C, Tracton v Youghal; D, St. Finbarr’s or Inniscarra v Ballyhea or Argideen Rangers.

Quarter-finals:1, A v B; 2, C v D; 3, Carrigtwohill or Ballincollig v Watergrasshill; 4, Aghabullogue v Blarney.

Semi-finals:1 v 2; 3 v 4.

The second grade IHC draw is as follows:

Round 2: Nemo Rangers v Fr. O’Neill’s; St. Vincent’s v Carrigaline; Blackrock v Eire Og.

Round 3:A, Ballymartle v Fr. O’Neills or Nemo Rangers; B, Milford v Kanturk; C, Dromina v Ballygarvan; D, Valley Rovers v Bandon.

Round 4: 1, Winners A v Kilbrittain; 2, Winners B v Glen Rovers; 3, Winners C v St Vincent’s or Carrigaline; 4, Winners D v Blackrock or Eire Og.

Semi-finals: 1 v 2; 3 v 4.