Final fitness boost for Banner star Honan

CLARE U21 attacking star Darach Honan is set to shake off a hamstring injury and start in next Sunday’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 decider against Kilkenny in Croke Park.

Honan incurred the injury in a Clare SHC game with his club Clonlara but he has responded well to the extensive treatment since then and his presence in the Clare full-forward line is a major boost to Clare’s hopes of a historic first title. Honan has racked up 5-10 in the campaign to date with his 2-4 haul pivotal to their All-Ireland U21HC semi-final victory over Galway.

Cathal Chaplin has also recovered from a broken finger and should be fit to partner Enda Barrett at midfield. That means Sean Collins remains Clare’s biggest injury doubt after damaging his shoulder while playing for his club Cratloe in a county intermediate football championship tie. Collins lined out at left half-forward against Galway notching two points with Cathal McGrath and Conor Tierney both vying to replace him.

In contrast, opponents Kilkenny have a clean bill of health and manager Michael Walsh is expected to announce an unchanged side after they emphatically dismissed Antrim in the All-Ireland semi-final. Both Cork and Kilkenny will announce their teams tonight for Sunday’s Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final. Neither camp has injury problems to report with respective managers Denise Cronin and Ann Downey expected to give a vote of confidence to the line-ups that triumphed in the All-Ireland semi-final’s.

Meanwhile, Meath boss Eamonn O’Brien has been re-appointed as county senior football team manager for a second season after guiding them to the All-Ireland semi-final stage this year. Both Donal Curtis and Robbie O’Malley are expected to continue as selectors, while Colm O’Rourke has been reappointed as county U21 football boss with another former All-Ireland winner Trevor Giles one of his selectors. On the hurling front TJ Reilly, who was at the helm for Meath’s Nicky Rackard Cup success this year, will remain in charge as the Royals feature in the Christy Ring Cup in 2010.

Fermanagh GAA chiefs have also opted to reappoint their incumbent football manager with Malachy O’Rourke to stay in charge for a third season. Darren Chapman will stay at the helm of the county U21 footballers with Rory O’Donnell to continue in charge of the county’s senior hurlers. It has also emerged that the Fermanagh County SFC final between Roslea Shamrocks and Derrygonnelly Harps will take place on Saturday September 26th under floodlights in Brewster Park, Enniskillen. The game has been brought forward a day to avoid a clash with the All-Ireland Ladies Intermediate final which Fermanagh are involved in on Sunday September 27th.

* Kilkenny play Ballyhale Shamrocks in the GOAL Challenge at Nowlan Park this evening at 6.30pm.