Limerick waiting on Reale fitness report

LIMERICK are awaiting medical clearance for team captain Damien Reale before naming their side to play Waterford in next Sunday’s Guinness Munster SHC final at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Reale was hospitalised after suffering concussion early on in the third game against Tipperary in the semi-final.

Waterford are due to reveal their team on Thursday night. Their only injury worry is Shane Walsh, who came on as a sub in the semi-final triumph over Cork.

Cork are awaiting fitness reports on five of their first team-starters before finalising their side to play Offaly in their All-Ireland SHC qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoímh on Saturday.

In last weekend’s victory over Dublin right corner back Brian Murphy, full back Diarmuid O’Sullivan and left corner back Shane O’Neill were in the wars, while midfielder Tom Kenny and centre forward Niall McCarthy missed out because of injuries sustained in the Munster semi final against Waterford.

Clare, who play host to Galway at Cusack Park in their qualifier on Saturday will have their four suspended players Alan Markham, Barry Nugent, Colin Lynch and Andrew Quinn available for selection. But Bernard Gaffney, who damaged a hamstring in last weekend’s victory over Antrim, is extremely doubtful.

Galway are expected to be without the Cloonan brothers, Diarmuid and Eugene, both of whom were injured in their qualifying victory over Laois at Portlaoise on Saturday night.

Tipperary are not due to announce their team to play Dublin in their qualifier at Parnell Park on Saturday until just before throw-in time.

Corner back Diarmuid Fitzgerald, who damaged a hamstring in last weekend’s narrow victory over Offaly, is extremely doubtful and if he is forced to cry off the likely replacement is team captain Benny Dunne.

The Toomevara player deputised for Fitzgerald on Saturday last and fitted in quite well.

Dublin will be without Pádraig O’Driscoll who dislocated an elbow in last weekend’s clash with Cork at Parnell Park.

Limerick have made four changes from the side that lost to Cork in the Munster semi final for their All-Ireland SFC qualifier with Louth at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.

Coming into the side are Andrew Lane at left corner back, Ger Collins named on the left flank of attack for his senior championship debut, Mike Crowley at right corner forward and Darren Horan occupying the full forward berth.

Shane Gallagher and Stephen Lavin were ruled out because of injury, while both Pat Aherne and John Cooke are dropped down to the substitutes bench.

Armagh have named the same side that lost to Donegal in the Ulster semi final for their qualifier with Derry at Clones on Sunday

LIMERICK (SFC v Louth): S. Kiely; D. Carroll, J. McCarthy, A. Lane; T. Cahill, P. Browne, R. Ranahan; T. Carroll, J. Galvin; G. Collins, J. Ryan, S. Buckley; M. Crowley, D. Horan, M. Reidy.

ARMAGH (SFC v Derry): P. Hearty; E. McNulty, B. Donaghy, A. Mallon; A. Kernan, K. McGeeney, K. McKeever; P. McGrane, K. Toner; P. McKeever, S. Kernan, M. O’Rourke; S. McDonald, D. Marsden, O. McConville.