Kilkenny's D J Carey finds it difficult to stay out of the limelight. Earlier this year he announced his retirement from hurling at the peak of his career and within a few weeks was back in training, having changed his mind. At the time of his retirement announcement, it was suggested that he would concentrate on reducing his already single-figure golf handicap. In spite of his return to the Kilkenny team, he will continue to play at a very high level on the golf course and this is underlined by his participation today in the pro-am at Druids Glen. Carey will team up with Colin Montgomerie, hot favourite for the Irish title again, as well as last year's snooker world champion, Ken Doherty, and Boyzone's Ronan Keating and is hoping to be in the winners' enclosure at the end. Yesterday he announced that he had decided to take a positive attitude to the golf test. "I will be putting the Leinster final against Offaly on hold and I will also be offering some hurling tips to Colin Montgomerie in the hope that he will take a close look at my golf game and return the favour."

Meanwhile the Kilkenny selectors have postponed their team selection until later this week. There are serious doubts about the fitness of Michael Phelan who is seriously troubled by a groin injury. This problem is not helped by the fact that

replacements Johnny Dooley and John Hoyne are also unable to train at full steam. This would leave the selectors with a serious situation insofar as the centre forward position is concerned. The selectors had planned to announce their team last night but, with other problems about the fitness of Peter Barry and Brian McEvoy, they opted for postponement.