News round-up: The chances of Munster retaining the interprovincial hurling title received a huge boost yesterday when manager Joe O'Leary was able to select the Newtownshandrum contingent - Pat Mulcahy and the O'Connor twins, Ben and Jerry - to play Ulster in the semi-final this Sunday at Casement Park.
The 2004 All-Ireland club champions won the Cork hurling title last weekend and with the Munster quarter-final against the winners of Thurles Sarsfields or Lixnaw not until November 20th, the trio are available to play in the final on November 6th at the McAnespies GAA club in Boston.
Either Mulcahy or Jerry O'Connor will succeed Seán Óg Ó hAilpín as Cork captain for 2006 as the county seeks a third successive All-Ireland title. The nomination will be announced in the coming weeks, and Ben O'Connor is not expected to be considered after holding the honour in 2004.
"There are a few injuries - like Eoin Kelly (hand) from Tipperary - and others still involved in championship but the turnout at training in Thurles on Wednesday shows there is plenty of pride left in playing for your province," said O'Leary, who drafted in Cork trainer Seánie McGrath along with selectors Alan Cunningham (Clare), Ken Hogan (Tipperary), Liam Lenihan (Limerick) and Kevin Ryan (Waterford).
Considering the strength of the 27-man panel, Munster are slight favourites, against a Leinster panel containing 10 Kilkenny men, to win a 44th title.
There are four other members of the All-Ireland champions, including John Gardiner, a strong contender for hurler of the year, while Clare's Niall Gilligan and Waterford's Eoin Kelly will play crucial roles in attack and midfield. There is also recognition at interprovincial level for Tipperary full forward Mícheál Webster after an impressive breakthrough year.
Clare equal Cork with seven representatives. Players involved in the Clare county final are unavailable, as are those from the champions of Waterford (Ballygunner), Limerick (Garryspillane) and Tipperary (Thurles Sarsfields), denying O'Leary the full well of talent.
"I don't want to be playing fellas against Ulster who won't be able to travel to Boston, if we win in Casement Park," added O'Leary.
Connacht and Leinster are equally handicapped by the ongoing Galway, Wexford and Kilkenny championships. Kilkenny forwards Eoin Larkin and Henry Shefflin are absent as their clubs, James Stephens and Ballyhale Shamrocks, meet in Nowlan Park on Sunday.
Connacht play Leinster in Loughrea (2.30pm). Admission is €7 for adults and free for children.
Adults accompanying children with promotional primary school vouchers will be admitted free of charge.
Meanwhile, TG4 will have live coverage of the Tyrone football final between reigning champions Carrickmore and St Enda's, Omagh, from Healy Park at 3.30pm on Sunday. Carrickmore seek a 15th county title, while the home team are looking for their first since 1988.
Five candidates have been nominated for the position of Antrim hurling manager. Jim McKernan, Paul McKillen, Seán McNaughton, David Foley and Seán O'Farrell will be interviewed for the job vacated by Dinnie Cahill in acrimonious circumstances last summer.
MUNSTER PANEL: D Óg Cusack, R Curran, J Gardiner, P Mulcahy, B O'Connor, J O'Connor, N Ronan (all Cork), D Fitzgerald, T Carmody, N Gilligan, A Markham, D McMahon, G O'Grady, G Quinn (all Clare), T Browne, E Kelly, E Murphy, J Murray, S Predergast (all Waterford), P Curran, D Fitzgerald, P Kelly, P Maher, M Webster (all Tipperary), S Lucey, O Moran, P O'Grady (all Limerick).
