Ballyhale stars set to return for Kilkenny

ALLSTAR Henry Shefflin will miss Kilkenny’s Allianz NHL semi-final showdown with Leinster rivals Wexford at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday.

Shefflin is currently abroad on honeymoon, but his Ballyhale Shamrocks colleague James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick is expected to get a starting position following their All-Ireland Club heroics.

The Kilkenny team will be announced on Friday and also in contention for places are Michael Fennelly and the Reid brothers Eoin and TJ all of whom performed with distinction for the Shamrocks in their St Patrick’s Day triumph over Loughrea.

However, Eoin McCarthy is a doubtful starter for the All-Ireland champions’ with a finger injury and Michael Rice could also miss out after picking up a knock in a club match over the weekend.

Jackie Tyrell and PJ Ryan have been unable to train in recent days due to sickness and are also rated as doubtful starters.

Wexford will have Rory McCarthy back, having missed the last game, when he was also out of the country.

Good news also for Wexford is that Kevin Kavanagh, who picked up a jaw injury over the weekend, is expected to be passed fit.

But a doubt surrounds hamstring injury victim Paul Roche. If he misses out, manager John Meyler will re-introduce Doc O’Connor when he names his team tomorrow night.

This will be the second meeting of Kilkenny and Wexford this season, with the Cats emerging victorious from their Walsh Cup final duel.

They could also clash in the Leinster final this year, but Kilkenny selector Michael Fogarty isn’t really concerned with that.

He insisted yesterday: “it doesn’t matter — as next Sunday is next Sunday and later on will take care of itself.

“We are looking forward to all of our matches and progressing as far as we can. We are delighted to be in a league semi-final and we’ll be trying to win no matter who we’re playing. League is league, championship is championship and if we have to meet again we’ll take that day as it comes.”

Cork have delayed naming their team to play Waterford in the other semi-final at the same venue.

The Leesiders are awaiting fitness reports on team captain Kieran Murphy, Timmy McCarthy, Cian O’Connor and Brian Murphy, all victims of niggling injuries, before finalising their starting side.

Waterford are due to name tomorrow night but manager Justin McCarthy is reported to have a clean bill of health.

Offaly hurling bosses have been forced to delay naming their side to face Limerick until Friday night due to an injury crisis.

Faithful County chiefs report that there were only 19 players, from a panel of 28, fit to train on Monday.

Gary Hanniffy and Kevin Kelly are both out of the country and will miss the game. Michael Verney (ankle) Shane Dooley (ankle), David Kenny (hamstring), James Rigney (Concussion), Alan Middleton (hand injury) are all ruled out, while Joe Bergin is still struggling to recover from a hamstring strain.

Mayo again will be without goalkeeper Kenneth O’Malley, David Brady and Trevor Mortimer for their all-Connacht Allianz NFL semi-final showdown with Galway at Croke Park on Sunday.

O’Malley has a broken thumb, Mortimer a broken bone in his foot and Brady is suffering from a groin strain.

Galway will be without Niall Coleman, who has been ruled out of action because of a shoulder injury for six weeks. But centre back Diarmuid Blake, who came on as a substitute last weekend after recovering from a leg injury, could be in from the start on this occasion.