Sport

Clancy makes way for fit-again Finnegan

Niall Finnegan, who came on as a substitute for Paul Clancy in Galway's replay victory over Sligo two weeks ago, comes into the…

By SEAN KILFEATHER
Thu Jul 15 1999 - 01:00

Niall Finnegan, who came on as a substitute for Paul Clancy in Galway's replay victory over Sligo two weeks ago, comes into the starting XV at left half forward in the Galway team which defends its Connacht and All-Ireland titles in Tuam Stadium on Sunday.

Finnegan played against London in the first round, but was not fit enough to start in either of the matches against Sligo. John Donnellan made the starting line-up as his replacement and has done sufficiently well - scoring six points from play in the replay - to retain his place. As a result, Clancy now makes way for a fully-fit Finnegan.

Galway are confident that with the full return to fitness of crucial central players such as Kevin Walsh at midfield, Jarlath Fallon at centre forward and Finnegan, their chances of retaining the Connacht title have been greatly increased.

Unsurprisingly, Mayo have named an unchanged team for the match from that which trounced Roscommon in the semi-final. This means that fears about the fitness of Noel Connelly and David Nestor have been allayed and that they will take their places at left half back and left corner forward respectively.

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It also means that Ken Mortimer, a former All Star corner back, continues in his role as centre forward where he played against both New York and Roscommon.

An interesting insight into the Mayo set-up at the moment is that Tom Lally, the former Galway United, Sligo Rovers and Glasgow Celtic goalkeeper, is coaching the Mayo forwards. It seems that he is having some success, judging by the fact that in Mayo's 0-21 to 011 victory over Roscommon. Mayo did not register a single wide that day.

Among the list of substitutes are Kieran McDonald, recently returned to the panel from self-imposed exile, former All Star Liam McHale, Pat Fallon, Brian Ruane, Alan Roche and Ger Brady from Claremorris. Kerry, as expected, have named Liam Hassett at centre forward for their Munster final against Cork at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. He replaces Noel Kennelly, who damaged an ankle in a club match two weeks ago.

Michael Francis Russell, who has been unavailable to the team so far this championship because of injury, is included among the list of substitutes.

KERRY (SF v Cork): D O'Keeffe; M McCarthy, B O'Shea, K Burns; T O Se, S Moynihan, E Breen; D O Se, D Daly;

J McGlynn, L Hassett, D O Cinneide; J Crowley, A MacGearailt, M Fitzgerald. Subs: P O'Leary, W Kirby, B O'Shea, M Hassett, E Fitzmaurice, P O'Sullivan, R MacGearailt, B Clarke, MF Russell.

MAYO (SF v Galway): P Burke; A Higgins, K Cahill, G Morley; F Costello, D Heaney, N Connelly; J Nallen, D Brady; C McMenamon, K Mortimer, J Casey; M Sheridan, J Horan, D Nestor.

GALWAY (SF v Mayo): M McNamara; T Meehan, G Fahy, T Mannion; R Silke, J Divilly, S Og de Paor; K Walsh, S O Domhnaill; M Donnellan, J Fallon, N Finnegan; D Savage, P Joyce, J Donnellan.

KERRY (MF v Cork): H Bowden; S Cremin, D Donegan, G Walsh; B Guiney, P Costello, C O'Connor; M Finn, P Galvin; G Wrenn, T Kennelly, J O'Connor; J O'Neill, R O'Connor, D J Fleming. Subs: D Hennebry, M O Se, D Long, D Quill, S Curran, E McGrath, S Scanlon, R Barrett, C O Cruadhlaoich.

OFFALY (Under-21 H v Kilkenny): B Mullins; M O'Hara, J O'Loughlin, S Ryan; P Molloy, N Claffey, J P O'Meara; T Spain, M Hand; C Gath, G Oakley, B Murphy; D Franks, D Kelly, A Hanrahan.