JAMES McINERNEY is set to fill the full back position for Clare in Sunday’s Munster hurling semi-final against Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Full back has been a particularly problematic position for Clare after the retirement of, first, Brian Lohan in 2006, followed last year by brother, Frank.
Frank Lohan played full back in Clare’s last championship match – the narrow All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Cork last July – and several players were tried in the position during Clare’s ultimately futile run in the league, which saw them relegated to Division Two.
Manager Mike McNamara was expected to turn to last year’s under-21 captain, Conor Cooney, for Sunday, but Cooney injured an ankle in a club match a fortnight ago. So this clears the way for McInerney, who played most of the league at midfield, to take command of a vital position.
Otherwise, Clare have a clean bill of health – although several championship debutants are still set to start as McNamara covers for the latest retirement of the 1997 All-Ireland-winning team, midfielder Colin Lynch.
Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy will announce his team after training tomorrow evening.
Liam Ryan has emerged as Dublin’s big injury concern ahead of their Leinster hurling semi-final against Wexford at Nowlan Park.
The centre forward has been struggling with a calf injury since Dublin’s win over Antrim, but will be given every chance to prove his fitness as Dublin attempt to qualify for their first senior decider since 1991. Anthony Daly is unlikely to finalise his team until tomorrow.
Ronan Fallon is likely to miss out as he recovers from a broken foot. Tomás Brady is likely to be given the task of handling Stephen Banville.
Wexford boss Colm Bonnar has welcomed Keith Rossiter back to full training, but he’s unlikely to start against Dublin. On the long-term injury list are midfielders Eoin Quigley and Colm Farrell, while Darren Stamp is also out.
There are also concerns in Galway over the fitness of Joe Canning ahead of Saturday’s other Leinster semi-final showdown, against Kilkenny. Canning was troubled with a groin injury during a training camp last week and hasn’t been able to train at full speed. Manager John McIntyre may wait until shortly before throw-in to decide if Canning is fit.
In football, Roscommon and Mayo have key injury problems ahead of their Connacht semi-final, also on Saturday evening. Roscommon’s former All-Ireland minor winner David Keenan dislocated a shoulder in the quarter-final win over Leitrim and is definitely out, while there is also a concern over forward Senan Kilbride, who has an ankle injury.
Mayo corner back Liam O’Malley also has an ankle injury, so dual player Keith Higgins is likely to make his first competitive appearance for John O’Mahony’s team since last year’s All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Tyrone.
