Meelin focused on semi-final mission

MIDFIELDER Liam Collins is the major injury worry for Cork side Meelin ahead of tomorrow’s All-Ireland Club JHC semi-final against Galway side Barna/Furbo in Ennis.

Collins sustained a leg injury in the quarter-final win over Lancashire outfit Fullen Gaels in Birmingham.

“We’ll see towards the end of the week what the situation is,” Meelin coach Liam Ryan said. “Liam hasn’t trained with us since last weekend’s game and has undergone physio treatment on it. It’s not ideal but we’ll give him every chance.

“We all came back stiff and sore as it was a more physical game than what we’d been used to in the Munster championship. We were glad to get through the game with a win.”

Ryan revealed his pleasure at the spread of scores in last Saturday’s game as his side were not reliant on leading marksman Eamonn Brosnan.

“We get used to looking at Eamonn’s name on the scoreboard so it was nice to see the responsibility being shared. Shane O’Riordan got two well-worked goals, which were a big factor in the win, but everyone chipped in on the day.”

A national decider at Croke Park on February 13th awaits the winner of tomorrow’s game and Ryan knows neither side will lack motivation.

“This a huge thing for us,” he added. “There’s a great buzz about the place. There were about 350 supporters in Birmingham and there was a carnival atmosphere over there. We’ll have a big crowd with us again this weekend but it’s better that the game is on in Ennis as we don’t have as much travel to be worrying about.

“Being 60 minutes from Croke Park is massive but we have to concentrate on winning the game first. We can’t be sidetracked. Barna are an unknown to us, but they won the Connacht title last weekend and that should bring them on.”