GAELIC GAMES:DANIEL GOULDING and his replacement in the Cork forward line Barry O'Driscoll have both been ruled out of Sunday's AllIreland quarter-final against Mayo at Croke Park.
Goulding damaged ligaments in his right ankle, forcing a 20th-minute withdrawal in Cork’s emphatic 12-point defeat of Down last Saturday evening.
Cork manager Conor Counihan initially allayed fears that a third member of his All-Ireland winning forward six would be ruled out, but a scan yesterday proved Goulding’s future participation in the remainder of the championship is under serious threat.
“He will be monitored on a week-to-week basis, presuming we progress past Mayo next weekend,” said Cork PRO Ger Lane last night.
Colm O’Neill and Ciarán Sheehan have already been ruled out for the year having both ruptured cruciate knee ligaments.
O’Driscoll came in for Goulding against Down, only for a collision with Dan Gordon, who was booked after the incident, forcing him off after just nine minutes. In the frontal collision, O’Driscoll sustained a double jaw fracture. The Nemo Rangers player has been luckless with injury as last season he needed a plate inserted in his cheekbone after a club match.
Fiachra Lynch appears to be next in line to start, having replaced O’Driscoll last Saturday, but a serious reconstruction of the forward line that finally delivered Sam Maguire to Cork in 2010 must now be undertaken by Counihan.
It is believed he will not look outside the current 35-man training panel despite the credentials of someone like James Masters, who left the Cork set-up of his own volition last year.
Cork and Mayo share the Croke Park stage with Kerry and Limerick this Sunday with the winners meeting in the All-Ireland semi-final on August 21st.
Croke Park also hosts the last qualifier – between Roscommon and Tyrone – this Saturday. This is followed by the Donegal versus Kildare quarter-final.
The winners of Roscommon and Tyrone will face Dublin in the quarter-final at Croke Park at 7pm on August 6th. The timing ensures no clash with Ireland’s rugby World Cup warm-up game in Edinburgh against Scotland (kick-off 2.15pm) but a GAA spokesman said yesterday the later throw-in has proved more accessible for fans wishing to attend the game.
“We find the 7pm start works well for people travelling to the city, rather than 3.30-4pm throw-in as people are still working at that time on a Saturday,” said operations manager Fergal McGill.
The All-Ireland junior football semi-final between Sligo and Cork will be the curtain raiser at 5pm.
The All-Ireland hurling semi-final between Kilkenny and Waterford is on Sunday, August 7th, with Dublin playing Tipperary the following weekend.
“Our main concern was that the CCCC would ensure a decent gap between the minor football quarter-finals and hurling semi-finals,” said Dublin chairman Andy Kettle yesterday.
Dublin’s minor footballers face Cork this Bank Holiday Monday and 13 days later a number of dual players play the hurling semi-final against Waterford.
It is very tough on Waterford fans, however, with the minor and senior teams playing in Croke Park on different weekends.
Tonight: Munster Under-21 Hurling Semi-final– Clare v Limerick, Cusack Park, Ennis, 7.30pm.
