Murphy set to boost Cork for Laois clash

NICHOLAS MURPHY is likely to be fit to play with Cork in Saturday’s Allianz NFL clash with Laois at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise. The All Star damaged a tendon against Fermanagh last week and was replaced by John Hayes.

John Miskella, who missed the Fermanagh game with a back problem, remains a doubt as Cork bid to remain unbeaten in the competition.

Cork have named four of the Cork IT Sigerson Cup winning side in their side for Saturday’s Munster U21FC quarter-final against Kerry at Páirc Uí Rinn. Noel Galvin is named at left corner-back, Conor O’Driscoll plays at right half-back, Shane McCarthy is at centre-forward and Colm O’Neill is at right corner-forward.

A fifth CIT player, James Fitzpatrick is included amongst the substitutes.

Manager John Cleary is able to call on the services of five of the Cork team that lost to Kerry in last year’s semi-final, with Conor O’Driscoll, McCarthy, Colm O’Driscoll, O’Neill and David Goold all featuring in the side.

Injuries rob the side of Macroom’s Sean Kiely and St Michael’s Brian Lombard, with three of last year’s minor team selected, goalkeeper Darren Farry, wing-forward Ciarán Sheehan and corner-forward Paul Honohan.

Limerick U-21 team to meet Clare in the Munster championship at Coolaclare on Friday night features three current senior players, left half back Ger Collins. midfielder Cormack Joyce-Power and left corner forward Ian Ryan.

Meath goalkeeper David Gallagher is fighting a fitness battle to be ready for Sunday’s away game to Wexford in the NFL. He picked up an injury during a training run with the Meath squad before Christmas.

“I have not been able to train much since January,’’ he said yesterday. However, he has been able to line out in each of the three League games to date – being yellow-carded before half-time in the second round match against Fermanagh – and remains hopeful of being able to take his place in the team in Wexford Park.

Owing to the death of their father the three O’Gorman brothers, twins Thomas and Maurice, and Michael could miss Waterford’s trip to London this weekend.

Limerick manager Mickey ‘Ned’ O’Sullivan is expected to ring the changes for his side’s game against Cavan at Breffni Park on Saturday following last weekend’s disappointing performance against Tipperary.

However, O’Sullivan must again plan without Andrew Lane and Maurice Carrig, both of whom are still on the injured list.

Wing back Pa Ranahan, who returned recently from Australia, has resumed training but is unlikely to gain a first team place on this occasion.

With no injury problems, Tipperary, cock-a-hoop after their fine win over the Shannonsiders, are expected to name an unchanged team for the visit of Offaly.

Clare, caught on the hop by Waterford last Sunday, are expected to rest their five U-21 players for Sunday’s League tie with Kilkenny. Liam Markham, Gary Brennan, Sean Collins, Dean Ryan and Cathal O’Connor, all of whom figured in the Waterford game, are due to play in the Munster U-21 championship game against Limerick on Friday night in Coolaclare.

This game marks the switching on of the new floodlight system at the Clare club’s grounds.

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy expects to have Denis Bastick available for selection for his side’s clash with title-holders Derry on Saturday.

Bastick was replaced under the blood sub rule during Dublin’s win over Donegal last weekend and had three stitches inserted in a head wound.

Meanwhile ,referee Joe McQuillan has rescinded the yellow card shown to Kerry midfielder Michael Quirke in Sunday’s NFL victory over Derry.

Quirke, playing his first game this season after recovering from microscopic knee surgery, was dismissed following an accidental collision with Joe Diver in the 30th minute.

CORK (U-21F v Kerry): D Farry (Nemo Rangers); S McLoughlin (Kanturk), J O’Sullivan (Bishopstown), N Galvin (Ballincollig); C O’Driscoll (Ilen Rovers), A Walsh (Kanturk), B Daly (Newmarket); C O’Donovan (Valley Rovers), K O’Driscoll (Tadgh MacCárthaigh); C Sheehan (Éire Óg), S McCarthy (Douglas), C O’Driscoll (Tadgh MacCárthaigh); C O’Neill (Ballyclough), D Goold (Macroom), P Honohan (Bishopstown).

Subs: B Walsh (Oliver Plunketts), L Jennings (Ballincollig), R Buckley (Macroom), D O’Sullivan (Ballinascarthy), J Fitzpatrick (Carbery Rangers), E Keane (St Finbarrs), M Collins (Castlehaven), E Buckley (St Michael’s), B O’Driscoll (Nemo Rangers).

LIMERICK (U-21F v Clare: B. Scannell (Gerald Griffen’s); D. Finnerty, (St. Senan’s), E. Gleeson (Cappamore), M. Collins (Bruff): D. McCarthy (Dromcollogher) J. Riordan (Fr. Casey’s), G. Collins (Milford); B. O’Brien (Bruff), C. Joyce-Power (Ahane); J. Mullane (St. Patrick’s), N. Riordan (Fedamore), C. Hayes (St. Senan’s); A. O’Neill (Bruff), P. Mullins (St. Patrick’s), I. Ryan (St. Senan’s).