Healy included in under-21 side

Niall Healy, the Galway seniors' three-goal hero against Kilkenny last weekend, has been included in the county's Under-21 line-up for tomorrow's All-Ireland U-21 hurling semi-final against Cork.

Incredibly, should Vincent Mullins' team beat the Munster champions, Galway's hurlers will be set up for All-Ireland final appearances next month at minor, intermediate, Under-21 and senior level.

Healy will lead Mullins' full-forward line, while his fellow senior panellists David Collins, Ger Mahon and Aongus Callanan will also have their services required from tomorrow's throw-in.

The Tribesmen, who lost to Kilkenny in last year's semi-final, have not won an All-Ireland U-21 title since 1996 - back when current seniors Fergal Healy, Alan Kerins, Kevin Broderick and Liam Hodgins were on the team.

Evidence of the 'hurling fever' currently sweeping Galway can be seen in the sheer demand for the county's famous maroon jersey.

Paul Campbell, managing director of Gaelic Gear, the manufacturers and distributors of the Galway jersey, expects "in the region of 25,000 Galway replica jerseys" to be sold by the end of the 2005 season.

GALWAY (U-21HC v Cork): Aidan Ryan; Paul Flynn, Alan Gaynor, Kevin Briscoe; Ger Mahon, Barry Cullinane, Alan Garvey; Brendan Lucas, David Collins; Joe Gantley, Aongus Callanan, Eanna Ryan; Kenneth Burke, Niall Healy, Kerrill Wade.