GAA Digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief...

A round-up of today's other stories in brief...

One change for Tyrone minors

TYRONE MANAGER Raymond Munroe has made one change to the side that defeated Roscommon in the All-Ireland minor football quarter-final, Martin Rogers replacing Seán Warnock at midfield, for tomorrow's semi-final against Meath at Croke Park. Goalkeeper Tim Harney (ankle) and captain Ronan McNabb (hamstring) have recovered from injury but McNabb is left on the bench.

If Meath can contain corner forward Kyle Coney they will go a long way to making the final and restoring some much-needed pride in the Royal County but Tyrone look a better bet to progress.

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TYRONE: T Harney; F McQuaid, G Teague, R Pickering; S McCroy, P Harte, K Mossey; N McKenna, M Rogers; C Girvan, D McNulty, M Donnelly; K Coney, P McNeice, C O'Neill.

MEATH: P Curran; S O'Brien, C Lenehan, S Curran; E Nulty, T Johnson, D Tobin; J Owens, D Carroll; D Smyth, M Newman, M Collins; J Regan, A Tormey, M Battersby. - Gavin Cummiskey

Death of Larry Fanning

THE DEATH has occurred of Larry Fanning, a member in 1948 of Waterford's first senior All-Ireland-winning team. His passing on Thursday at the age of 86 was unexpected and he had been greatly looking forward to next weekend and the county's first All-Ireland final in 45 years.

Of the breakthrough team of 60 years ago, only two, Andy Fleming and Johnny O'Connor, now survive. A brother of former GAA president Pat, Larry Fanning was a stalwart of the Mount Sion club and also well known in the arts community for his support of the city's Theatre Royal.

Fitzgerald bids for double

DAVY FITZGERALD will aim to secure the first part of an All-Ireland double this weekend as his Clare minor camogie side take on Kilkenny in the A final on Sunday. The Waterford manager will also face Kilkenny next weekend in the All-Ireland hurling final but this weekend his focus is on defeating the "Minor Cats".

Fitzgerald is joint manager of the side with Fintan McNamara as Clare appear in their first minor final.

McNamara is keen to acknowledge the contribution the former All-Ireland winner has made: "We're very grateful to have Davy Fitzgerald involved with us; he's a fantastic motivator and inspiration to the girls."

Clare take on a Kilkenny side renowned for their underage set-up and hoping to win their third All-Ireland minor title in a row.

Camogie in Clare has, however, made huge strides over the past few years and seven of the minor side will feature for the junior team that will play Offaly in the Gala All-Ireland final in Croke Park on September 14th.

The All-Ireland minor-B camogie final between Offaly and Waterford also takes place on Sunday in Athy.

Offaly are, like Clare, playing in a minor final for the first time.

Kernan takes charge in Ulster

THE FORMER Armagh All-Ireland-winning manager Joe Kernan is to take charge of Ulster's Railway Cup football side. He succeeds Brian McEniff, who became almost synonymous with the position during 25 successful years in charge of the province, which again last year won the M Donnelly Interprovincial Cup.

Ulster Council made the appointment on Thursday night and also confirmed Antrim's Terence McNaughton and Dominic McKinley would continue in charge of the province's hurling team.