Clean bill of health for Dublin under-21 hurlers

Dublin Under-21 hurling manager Sean Lane has a full squad to choose from for Saturday evening's All-Ireland U-21HC semi-final against Derry at Newry's Páirc Esler (throw-in 6pm).

Team captain John McCaffrey, whose summer has been wrecked by an ongoing groin injury, has regained full fitness and is expected to start against the Ulster champions.

He came off the bench in the Leinster final victory over Offaly to score two points as the Dubs captured their first provincial title at this grade since 1972.

Shane O'Rorke and Conor Connolly, who have been sidelined through injury, have also returned to full training.

The Dublin County Board have urged as many supporters as possible to travel to Newry and get behind Lane's young charges.

Meanwhile, an appeal on behalf of Dublin U-21 hurler Peadar Carton has been heard by the Central Appeals Committee, after which it was confirmed that the appeal was upheld on technical grounds and accordingly has been referred back for re-hearing.

Carton was handed an eight-week suspension last month for a wild pull during the Dublin seniors' qualifier clash with Tipperary which left Tipp's Paul Curran with facial and neck injuries.