Tribesmen recall Dervan for Tipp test
The Mullagh player was not included in the Galway squad last year and has only recently returned from a controversial 12-week suspension. Along with two other clubmates. Dervan, whose last game for Galway was when he came on in the All-Ireland qualifier loss to Cork two seasons ago, will start at wing back in place of Donal Barry.
The only other change sees James Akehill take over in goal from Colm Callanan as manager John McIntyre and his selectors continue their goalkeeper rotation policy.
Cork dual star Eoin Cadogan is likely to line out for the county’s hurlers this weekend as he faces his first fixture dilemma since opting to combine both senior codes this season. Cork face Tyrone in the NFL Division 1 on Saturday night in Omagh at 7.30pm and 19 hours later, the NHL Division 1 clash between Cork and Kilkenny takes place in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 2.30pm.
The close proximity between the two games, allied to the travel involved in the Tyrone trip, means it’s a non-runner for Cadogan to feature for both teams and it is expected he will be involved with Denis Walsh’s hurling squad. The Cork football management will only take a squad of 21 with them for the away game against Tyrone rather than the permitted number of 24.
Cork have injury concerns over midfielder Nicholas Murphy and defender Ger Spillane for the Tyrone match. Murphy missed out on last week’s win against Galway with a hamstring injury while Spillane picked up a knock in that game.
Meanwhile, Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney’s plans for their tie against Dublin on Saturday night in Parnell Park have been rocked by the withdrawal of established pair Gary McQuaid and Damien Freeman from the Farney County squad due to lack of work. Both half-backs did not feature in last Sunday’s win against Tyrone which raised question marks over their future involvement.
Clare will be without corner-back Gerry Quinn for their NHL clash with Wexford at Cusack Park on Sunday because of a hamstring injury. Because of the involvement of a number of players in last night’s Munster U21 football game, both the Clare hurling and football teams will not be selected until after training tonight. The footballers travel to play London in Ruislip on Sunday.
Despite being named at centre-back last night, Aidan Walsh is still considered a major doubt for Cork’s Munster U21FC quarter-final clash with Kerry in Tralee on Saturday.
A final decision on his fitness will not be made until Saturday morning as the Kanturk player continues to be hampered by a hamstring injury.
His absence would be a major loss to Cork’s hopes. Walsh is one of six players from last year’s All-Ireland U21 winning side that have been selected by manager John Cleary. Chris O’Donovan starts at midfield, Mark Collins, Ciarán Sheehan and Kevin O’Driscoll make up the half-forward line, while Paul Honohan will play at left corner-forward.
Kerry boss John Kennedy has named five members of last year’s U21 side. Goalkeeper Tomás Mac an tSaoir, wing-backs Pádraig O’Connor and Jonathan Lyne, midfielder John Buckley and full-forward Barry John Walsh were all involved during the heavy defeat Kerry suffered in last year’s clash between the counties.
Joe Kernan confirmed he will be without attacker Sean Armstrong for Galway’s four remaining league matches as the scale of a hamstring injury picked up against Cork was confirmed. Armstrong misses Sunday’s clash with All-Ireland champions Kerry and will also be unavailable for the home games against Tyrone and Derry, as well as the trip to Parnell Park to play Dublin.
The Galway boss will name his team tonight. Versatile defender Gareth Bradshaw remains ruled out with a calf injury, but Declan Meehan and Fiachra Breathnach are available again after injury.
GALWAY (SH v Tipperary): J. Skehill; F. Moore, S. Kavanagh, D. Joyce; C. Dervan, T. Og Regan; D. Collins; G. Farragher, N. Cahalan; A. Callanan, C. Donnellan, A. Harte; I. Tannian, J. Gantley, N. Healy.
KERRY U21FC (v Cork): T Mac an tSaoir (An Ghaeltacht); P. Crowley (Laune Rangers); K. O’Connor (Emmetts), B. McGuire (Emmetts); P. O’Connor (Legion); B. Shanahan (Austin Stacks), J. Lyne (Legion); J. Buckley (Dr Crokes), C. Moriarty (Dingle); J. O’Donoghue (Legion), BJ Keane (Kerins O’Rahillys), M. Geaney (Dingle); D. Casey (Dr Crokes), BJ Walsh (Kerins O’Rahillys), P. Geaney (Dingle).
Subs: B. Kelly (Legion), P. Curtin (Moyvane), E. Walsh (Knocknagoshel), D. McElligott (Austin Stacks), Philip Galvin (Ballymac), P. O’Donoghue (St Mary’s), S. Walsh (Cromane), I. Somers (Currow), G. O’Keeffe (Rathmore).
CORK (U21F v Kerry): S Mellet (Carrigaline); R O’Sullivan (Argideen Rangers), R Buckley (Macroom), I Jones (Bishopstown); M Hickey (Carrignavar), A Walsh (Kanturk), JP Murphy (Ballincollig); C O’Donovan (Valley Rovers), E Keane (St Finbarrs); M Collins (Castlehaven), C Sheehan (Éire Óg), K O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaighs); B O’Driscoll (Nemo Rangers), J Sexton (St Finbarr’s), P Honohan (Bishopstown).
Subs: B Walsh (Oliver Plunketts), R Dineen (St Michaels), L Jennings (Ballincollig), M Cahalane (Castlehaven), A O’Reilly (Nemo Rangers), L McLoughlin (Kanturk), S Beston (Mitchelstown), E Buckley (St Michaels), A Holland (Ilen Rovers).
