Blow for Breffni men as Johnston a major doubt for Fermanagh clash
Johnston missed all of Cavan’s league campaign after breaking his elbow playing for DCU in the Sigerson Cup but he returned in time to face Fermanagh in the Ulster SFC quarter-final this month. The attacker, who will have the elbow operated on at the end of the year, is believed to have suffered a recurrence of the injury and may start the Wicklow game on the substitutes’ bench.
Cavan are already without Paul Brady, who is unavailable due to handball commitments, while both midfielders David Givney and Nicholas Walsh are both sidelined as well. Givney emerged as a major worry after picking up an ankle injury in a club clash at the weekend, and looks to have been ruled out, possibly for the remainder of Cavan’s qualifier campaign.
To compound matters for Tommy Carr’s side his most likely replacement Walsh is also likely to miss the clash against the Garden County with a hamstring injury. Lorcan Mulvey is now the favourite to partner Ciaran Galligan in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile Offaly attacker Daniel Currams is likely to have his appeal heard tonight against the red card he was shown in the drawn Leinster SHC semi-final against Galway in Croke Park last Sunday. The replay is scheduled for next Saturday evening and Currams availability is still in doubt as he attempts to have his suspension overturned. Derek Molloy is also a major injury worry for Joe Dooley’s charges.
Limerick have made four changes for their Munster MHC semi-final against Clare tomorrow night in the Gaelic Grounds. Brian Murphy comes into the team at right corner-back, Mark Carmody is selected at right half-back, Sean Kelly is introduced at midfield and Mike Fitzgibbon is named at right half-forward. Mark O’Loughlin, Jake Mulcahy, William Hickey and Mark O’Connell are the four players to make way. Positional changes in the starting 15, see Alan Dempsey go to full-back, captain Kevin O’Donnell switches to centre-back, Chris O’Riordan moves to left half-back, Declan Hannon shifts to midfield, Thomas Ryan goes to centre-forward and Dan Morrissey is changed to left half-forward.
CORK (MH v Waterford): W McCarthy (Carrigtwohill); D Cahalane (St Finbarrs), R Ryan (Bishopstown), C Spillane (Castlelyons); K Buckley (Na Piarsaigh), F O’Mahony (Midleton), C Joyce (Na Piarsaigh); D Sweetnam (Dohenys), N Kelly (Mayfield); S Moore (Midleton), D Lordan (Courcey Rovers), C Lehane (Midleton); K Hallissey (Éire Óg), J Coughlan (Newtownshandrum), B Hartnett (Russell Rovers). Subs: G Minihane (Courcey Rovers), D Lester (Bishopstown), D Stokes (Blackrock), K Burke (Midleton), D O’Carroll (Fermoy), R O’Shea (Carrigaline), S O’Keeffe (Blackrock), B Murray (Bishopstown), J Wall (Kilbrittain)
LIMERICK (MH v Clare): E Webb (Kilmallock); B Murphy (Fedamore), A Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh), B Hannigan (Feenagh/Kilmeedy); M Carmody (Patrickswell), K O’Donnell (Kilmallock), C O’Riordan (Dromin/Athlacca); D Hannon (Adare), S Kelly (Adare); M Fitzgibbon (Feohanagh/Castlemahon), T Ryan (South Liberties), D Morrissey (Ahane); J Fitzgibbon (Adare), S Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), M Ryan (Murroe/Boher).
Subs: B Neville (Ahane), R Ryan (Ahane), B O’Connor (Croagh/Kilfinny), M O’Loughlin (Kilmallock), C Keogh (Na Piarsaigh), J Mulcahy (Kilmallock), M O’Connell (Glenroe), J Aherne (Kileedy), D Murphy (Kilteely/Dromkeen).
