Sunday's Guinness All-Ireland hurling quarter-final between Ulster champions Derry and Galway will not be broadcast live by RT╔. The broadcaster has opted to show the Limerick-Wexford qualifier live, with highlights of the other match shown on the Sunday Game. The decision will disappoint followers of Ulster hurling, who would have looked upon Sunday's clash as one or the rare occasions on which a northern team is afforded national exposure.
"We decided to broadcast the Wexford- Limerick game live on the basis that it will probably prove to be the more competitive match," explained a spokeswoman at RT╔ sport yesterday. The sole live broadcast means a marked reduction in the station's weekend GAA coverage, which has been superb to date. It may have been partly provoked by the fear that Galway, only entering the championship at this stage, could totally steamroll the Ulster champions.
However, similar worries when Derry played Offaly last year failed to materialise and the Ulster side almost shocked their opponents in one of the most enjoyable and novel games of the season. Few expect a repeat of that, however. The majority of bookmakers are taking no odds on Galway, with Limerick available at 2 to 5 in the other game against Wexford's 2 to 1. Derry are listed at 8 to 1.
Derry and Galway are expected to announce their teams today. Derry have no injury worries with Galway only missing long-term casualty Rory Gantley. Limerick and Wexford also plan to name their sides after training this evening. Limerick report a full panel to choose from, however Wexford are missing Colm Kehoe through injury.
Meanwhile, International Rules manager Brian McEniff has ended rumours that Kerry Australian Rules player Tadhg Kennelly has been asked onto the Irish panel ahead of the October series. Kennelly, scion of the Kerry football dynasty, impressed Australian scouts during an underage tour and undertook a two-year contract in Sydney, which incorporated a place at the University of New South Wales.
The Sydney Swans contract player recently made his debut for the club and is adapting to the professional sport extremely well. However, the reports, which circulated in an Irish-Australian newspaper, are, at the very least, premature. "It is pure speculation as I haven't even begun to assemble a squad," responded the Donegal man yesterday.
McEniff and his selectors have been studying the championship intently and will sit down to draft a squad after the forthcoming All-Ireland quarter-finals, with a training session pencilled in for the following week.
