FIT AGAIN Damien Quigley has been facilitated with his customary left corner forward position on the Limerick side, to face Tipperary in the all ticket Munster senior hurling championship final at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday but at the expense of wing forward Mike Galligan, who is demoted to the substitutes' bench.
Limerick boss Tom Ryan makes just one change. As expected, Quigley, who missed the semi final win over All Ireland holders Clare because of a broken thumb, regains his place in attack, but the unexpected twist in the tail sees TJ Ryan moving out to wing forward in place of Galligan.
Opponents Tipperary, however have been more drastic and have made two changes in personnel and five positional switches from the team that started against Kerry, the biggest casualty being Nicky English who sustained a calf muscle injury in that encounter. English has only managed to undertake light training for the past two weeks and must be content with a place among the substitutes.
"We had no worries about putting Damien straight back into the team," admitted Limerick manager Ryan, of Quigley's swift recall. "Even during his injury, he managed to participate in all the physical training and all he lacks is match practice. He'll be alright."
Team captain Gary Kirby has been named to lead the attack, but there are still worries in the camp regarding his fitness. Kirby picked up an Achilles tendon injury against Clare and has been unable to train since then.
"We weren't aware that the injury was as bad as it was," said Ryan. And if a player like Gary Kirby complains of an injury, you can take it that it is serious. We just hope he will be able to play.
Defenders Dave Clarke and Mike Nash, who were affected by niggling injuries, proved themselves at training last night. Limerick will finalise their preparations with another session on Thursday night for the match, which will be televised live on RTE.
Raymie Ryan, who missed the provincial semi final win over Kerry because of a shoulder injury, has been recalled to the Tipperary half back line for the big match. He is the only change in defence, but there are wholesale changes elsewhere.
Conal Bonnar, who filled the right half back position against Kerry, forms a new midfield partnership with recalled Brian O'Meara, while John Leahy is the only player to retain his starting position in the half forward line where he is partnered by captain Michael Cleary and Liam McGrath (who both figured at midfield against Kerry). Kevin Kennedy, who led the attack that day, has been dropped.
English's injury has forced a reshuffle in the full forward line. The impressive and versatile Liam Cahill is switched from wing forward into right corner forward, with Declan Ryan moving from the corner to assume English's number 14 jersey.
Tipperary haven't undertaken any challenge matches since their encounter with Kerry. Team manager Fr Tom Fogarty explained. "We didn't really need any more games. Having reached the National League final and then getting two matches in the championship against Waterford and Kerry, we felt that was sufficient and have concentrated our efforts on the training ground since then."
However, Fogarty revealed English has only managed to undertake some light training since incurring the injury against Kerry, although he is named among a comprehensive substitutes' bench.
National League champions Galway, who take on Roscommon in the Connacht senior hurling final at Dr Hyde Park on Saturday evening, report a clean bill of health. Their team is expected to be finalised tomorrow. The Galway Roscommon match acts as a "curtain raiser" to the provincial under football semi final between the two counties.
Laois, meanwhile, will be without defender Adrian Phelan for their Leinster senior football championship semi-final meeting with Meath at Croke Park on Sunday. Phelan sustained a broken bone in his ankle in training and is expected to be out for the rest of the summer.
Cyril Duggan, who missed the quarter final win over Kildare because of his hurling commitments, could be drafted into the side. The Portlaoise dual player played for Laois in their National League playoff match with the Lilywhites but, subsequently, concentrated on hurling.
Down have a minor doubt hanging over the fitness of Brian Burns, but he should be available to the selectors when they finalise the team tomorrow night. Attackers Ross Carr and Peter Whitnell, who were introduced as substitutes against Monaghan, are also in contention for recalls to the side for the Ulster semi final against Cavan at Clones on Sunday. Aidan Farrell, who missed that game because of injury, is still on the injured list and is unlikely to play.
Meanwhile, it is expected that Peter Canavan, who was sent off in the dying moments of Tyrone's semi final win over Derry, will be available for the Ulster final on July 21st. Even if Canavan is handed a month's suspension although a minimum two weeks' ban is the more likely he would still be able to take his place.
