News round-up: Both the Munster and Leinster managers have questioned the true value of bringing this year's interprovincial hurling final to Boston. The GAA have taken the finals abroad for the last number of years, alternating between football and hurling, in an effort to revive interest in the competition. Sunday's hurling final will take place at the Aidan McAnespies club grounds in Canton, about an hour from Boston.
Cork selector Joe O'Leary took over the management of Munster this year, and last Sunday week guided his team past Ulster to set up the trip to Boston. He welcomes the added incentive for the players, but believes the GAA probably needs to think again about the way forward for the competition, as well as its timing.
"The players have been very, very keen about taking part, and doing well," said O'Leary. "It's hard to know if taking it to Boston is really in the best interests of the competition . . . it seems they can't give the competition a regular home again. The timing is definitely not good. With the Munster club championship at the semi-finals stage that rules out a lot of top players."
"I believe they should decide on a date and venue for once and for all. Something like a curtain-raiser to the club finals on St Patrick's Day would be perfect."
O'Leary has made a few alterations to his panel. Tipperary's Philip Maher, Limerick's Stephen Lucey and Waterford's Tony Browne were unavailable, with Cork's Kieran Murphy of Sarsfields called in as a replacement.
Former Wexford manager John Conran, who has taken charge of the Leinster team, will be travelling without key members of his team. Selector Brian Whelahan of Offaly will be away on a charity event in Malawi, as is Wexford goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry, who travels to Gambia, with Kilkenny's Henry Shefflin and DJ also unavailable.
Conran has called in Eoin Quigley and Diarmuid Lyng from Wexford, James Cha Fitzpatrick and Bryan Barry from Kilkenny and Gary Maguire from Dublin, who will be reserve goalkeeper.
Like O'Leary, however, Conran has concerns about the long-term value in bringing the final to a place like Boston. "I know the players love it," he said. "In many ways it's one of the highest honours you can get in hurling, to be picked for your province.
"And it's nice to get the trip out of it as well. But I suppose you would have to wonder if it really helps to sell it to the public."
The GAA have to finalise details of the interprovincial football final, set for Sunday week, where defending champions Ulster will meet Leinster.
Parnell Park has been approved as the venue, but a conflict has arisen because the Leinster club hurling quarter-final between UCD and Birr, due to be played this Sunday, was put back a week, and is to be played at the venue on the same day.
The UCD-Birr game was postponed because of the involvement of players in the trip to Boston. UCD manager Michael Babs Keating has taken advantage of the hiatus to set up a challenge match between the students and his Tipperary team, to be played on Sunday at Ardfinnan (2.30).
Elsewhere, the Laois County Board are awaiting the report of match referee Pat Moran before deciding what action may be taken on the ugly scenes that marred the closing stages of Monday's Laois hurling final replay - which Castletown won. Dean Delaney, the 15-year-old Camross player who was injured in the incident, was yesterday released from hospital, but further investigation appears likely.
John Maughan looks destined to be the new Roscommon senior football manager after former Offaly boss Paul O'Kelly withdrew from the race yesterday. Former Longford minor manager Jimmy Gacquinn is also in the running for the job.
MUNSTER (SH Panel v Leinster): D Óg Cusack, R Curran, J Gardiner, P Mulcahy, B O'Connor, J O'Connor, N Ronan, K Murphy (all Cork); D Fitzgerald, T Carmody, N Gilligan, A Markham, D McMahon, G O'Grady, G Quinn (all Clare); E Kelly, E Murphy, J Murray, S Prendergast (Waterford); P Curran, D Fitzgerald, P Kelly, M Webster (all Tipperary); O Moran, P O'Grady (both Limerick),
LEINSTER (SH v Munster): J McGarry (Kilkenny); R Mullaly (Kilkenny), D Ryan (Wexford), J Tennyson (Kilkenny); R Hannify (Offaly), D Ruth (Wexford), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny); J Ryall (Kilkenny), J Young (Laois); R Power (Kilkenny), M Comerford (Kilkenny), T Walsh (Kilkenny); E Brennan (Kilkenny), G Hanniffy (Offaly), B Carroll (Offaly). Subs: G Maguire (Dublin), J Hoyne (Kilkenny), S Clynch (Meath), S Kavanagh (Carlow), B Murphy (Offaly), D Lyng (Wexford), M Cordial (Offaly), D O'Connor (Wexford), B Barry (Kilkenny), J Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny), E Quigley (Wexford).
TIPPERARY (SH vs UCD): D Young; C O'Mahoney, E Buckley, M Ryan; D McGrath, J Devane, H Moloney; J Woodlock, S McGrath; D Shelly, N Curran, K Tucker; J O'Brien, D Egan, S Butler.
