Tipp in Thurles holds no fear for McCaffrey

Dublin captain Johnny McCaffrey said his team are relishing the prospect of going to Thurles to face Tipperary for an All-Ireland semi-final berth on Sunday week.

The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee yesterday fixed the game as well as Limerick’s clash with Wexford or Waterford for Semple Stadium to form a double header.

But McCaffrey said he and his players have no issue about the fact their opponents will have home advantage.

“We knew whoever we got it was going to be tough and going down there will make it tougher but we’re looking forward to it.

“We’ve played them there a few times over the last few years and we’re well used to it. There’ll be a big crowd and we can’t wait for it.”

McCaffrey said Dublin have put their below par Leinster final display against Kilkenny last Sunday week firmly behind them.

“We have licked our wounds as such and got over the disappointment over it. We’re looking to put in a performance in Semple Stadium, one we know we’re capable of.”

It’s the fourth year in succession that the two quarter-finals will be staged in Thurles, Dublin’s second quarter-final there in four seasons. Tipperary’s last quarter-final was in Croke Park in 2011 where they beat Galway.

It will be the first time Tipperary have played an All-Ireland quarter-final at Semple Stadium, seven of their eight previous encounters coming in Croke Park with the other taking place in Clones.

Cork’s footballers will bid to reach the All-Ireland quarter-finals when they face Sligo in Tullamore onSaturday week at 5pm.

It forms the first part of an evening senior double bill at O’Connor Park with the Galway-Tipperary qualifier following it at 7pm.

Earlier in the day, Cork take on Galway at the venue in the All-Ireland IHC semi-final at 2.30pm.

Should Cork beat Sligo, they will face Connacht champions Mayo in the last eight game as they have already played Kerry in last Sunday week’s Munster final.

That would mean Kerry will face the winners of Galway and Tipperary. Both All-Ireland quarter-finals are down for Sunday, August 3.

The winners of this Saturday’s Clare-Kildare and Roscommon-Armagh qualifiers will be drawn against the losers of the following day’s Leinster and Ulster finals. Those round 4B qualifiers will take place on Saturday, August 2.

CORK (U21HC v Waterford): P Collins (Ballinhassig); S Murphy (Blackrock), C Barry (Castlelyons), C Buckley (Na Piarsaigh); K Kavanagh (Carrigaline), K Burke (Midleton), C Murphy (Mallow); D Brosnan (Brian Dillon's), R Cahalane (Ballymartle); S O'Keeffe (Blackrock), C Spillane (Castlelyons), M Collins (Ballinhassig); A Cadogan (Douglas), A Spillane (Castlelyons), R O’Shea (Carrigaline).

TIPPERARY (U21HC v Clare): P Maher (Moyne-Templetuohy); C Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill), M Breen (Ballina), T Fox (Eire Óg Annacarty); R Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), J Meagher (Loughmore-Castleiney), T Hamill (Moyne-Templetuohy); S Kennedy (St Mary's), B Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash); C O'Riordan (JK Brackens); L McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), D McCormack (Borrisoleigh); D Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields), J Forde (Silvermines), S Maher (Clonoulty-Rossmore).