GAELIC GAMES NEWS:KEN McGRATH is resigned to playing only a bit part in Waterford's drive to the All-Ireland hurling final, his chronic knee injuries once again keeping him out of the starting team for Sunday's semi-final against Tipperary. The 32-year-old and veteran of 15 championship seasons with Waterford hasn't been training at full tilt in recent weeks, and won't feature in the first 15 when manager Davy Fitzgerald announces his starting line-up this evening.
However, McGrath is almost certain to feature in the latter stages, as he has in Waterford’s three championship matches so far. The problem is the near total deterioration of cartilage in both knees, the result of wear and tear, and which naturally restricts the amount of hard training he can endure. McGrath is facing the prospect of two knee replacements when he eventually calls time on his career, although that’s not putting him off for now.
No such problems for fellow veterans Tony Browne, John Mullane and Dan Shanahan – who are all reported fit for the latest showdown with their Munster rivals.
Browne and Mullane are certain to start at wing back and corner forward respectively, although Dan Shanahan is more likely to be used as an impact substitute, like he did so effectively in the Munster final replay win over Cork.
Tipperary’s big injury concern surrounds forward Eoin Kelly, who is getting continual treatment on an old back complaint that has suddenly reoccurred in recent weeks. Kelly is still likely to start, although it remains to be seen how much the back injury will inhibit his game. Definitely ruled out is fellow forward Pat Kerwick, who is now resigned to undergoing an operation on his groin injury.
Otherwise Tipperary are injury-free (except for long-term absentees Paul Kelly and James Woodlock) and few, if any changes, are expected from the team that beat Galway in the quarter-final. Manager Liam Sheedy also announces his line-up this evening.
Sunday’s game marks the 38th championship meeting between Waterford and Tipperary, with the score 27-10 in Tipperary’s favour, although of the last 10 meetings, the score stands at five apiece.
In managerial news, Séamus McEnaney is set to continue for a seventh season in charge of the Monaghan senior footballers, having received the backing of both the players and county executive. McEnaney is now expected to be rubber-stamped at next Monday’s full county board meeting.
Nominations for the vacant Derry football manager position close on Sunday, although county chairman John Keenan has stressed his desire for a Derry native to take charge in succession to Damian Cassidy.
A decision on who will take over from John O’Mahony as Mayo football manager will also be made shortly, as nominations for that position close tomorrow week.
John McIntyre looks set to return for a third year as Galway hurling manager. Monday night’s meeting of the Galway hurling board gave their backing to McIntyre for another year even though his initial two-year term was up.
Magee suffers a dislocated ankle
DUBLIN ARE likely to be without the services of substitute midfielder Darren Magee for their All-Ireland football semi-final against Cork on Sunday week after the player last night sustained a suspected dislocated ankle in action for his club, Kilmacud Crokes. Magee hasn’t been starting at midfield this season, but has appeared regularly as cover for either Michael Dara Macauley or Ross McConnell.
The players not expected to start against Cork on Sunday week were last night cleared to play for their clubs, so Magee lined out for Kilmacud against Fingal Ravens, in Silver Park, and must now undergo an X-ray later today to find out if he has hopes of still playing some part against Cork.
