Clare have injury worries aplenty in GAA
Conor McGrath and Colm Galvin picked up hamstring injuries in Nowlan Park last Sunday and are considered doubts as are Patrick O’Connor who was withdrawn from the weekend’s team at late notice and joint-captain Cian Dillon who picked up a bug since the defeat.
Galvin may have already played his last game for Clare this year, seriously considering emigrating to the US for the summer after becoming disillusioned with his club Clonlara who replaced his father Kevin as manager after just one season at the end of last year.
Clare lost the toss for the home avenue in Croke Park yesterday after both teams had played two home games in the round series and must now face Kilkenny at a venue where they haven’t beaten the Cats since 2005.
Having won their flip of a coin for home venue, Cork will entertain Wexford in Páirc Uí Rinn on the same Sunday bill (4pm throw-in) as the footballers’ meeting with Mayo (2pm).
Offaly will also enjoy home advantage on Sunday against Tipperary in O’Connor Park as will Dublin, whose clash with Limerick on Saturday (5pm) will be the curtain raiser to their footballers’ meeting with Derry in Croke Park (7pm).
Meanwhile, Kilkenny’s Paul Murphy has disagreed with TJ Reid’s assessment it would be an embarrassment for the county to be relegated. The Danesfort man will be going all out to avoid the drop at the weekend but he doesn’t think there would be any shame in losing to Clare.
“No, I wouldn’t be embarrassed to be in 1B. Limerick and Waterford and that are in 1B and Limerick had a massive year last year, nearly won the All- Ireland. No, I wouldn’t be embarrassed to go down, but I certainly don’t want to go down, that’s one thing for sure.
“Next week is a real challenge. We do want to stay up in Division 1A. It’s very important to stay up there, especially for next year to get the good matches under your belt going into the championship. You want to be in the most competitive division.”
Murphy expects Joey Holden will get a chance at full-back, possibly in Nowlan Park in five days’ time. Holden and the rest of the Ballyhale Shamrocks players return to county training this evening and Murphy wouldn’t be surprised if he is shifted to the corner to make way for Holden, having been full-back for Kilkenny’s five round games.
Murphy admits he’s had some difficulties there but is confident he can master the role. “I knew I was going to make mistakes going in there, they are all learning curves. I suppose some lads mightn’t think going from corner-back to full-back is a big step, but it is. You have to approach it differently.
“I have made mistakes along the way but I’m fully acceptable of them and I am after learning from them, that’s the main thing. I had a hard day last week against Seamus Callanan but that’s the type of hurler he is. If you are going out every day thinking you are going to have it handy then you are in for a rude awakening in the championship. It’s been tough but I’m enjoying the challenge.
“I have full confidence in myself I will be able to play at number 3 and Brian has full belief in me as well. Look, Joey Holden will be back next week, I’m sure he will get a chance at some stage as well at full-back, whether it be in training or next week, but regardless of what happens if he plays me full-back I’ll be delighted and take it on .”
The new playing rules such as the one-versus-one penalty and advantage rule in hurling won’t now come in until Sunday, April 11 after the GAA decided to provide more time to players and referees to acquaint themselves with the changes. They had been expected to come in for this weekend. As the NHL has already commenced, the alterations won’t apply to the competition.
Elsewhere, Tipperary footballer Ciaran McDonald could make an earlier than expected return to action after receiving positive news from his doctors last week. The Aherlow man had suffered a repeat of a hip injury, which threatened his career.
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