GAELIC GAMES:Waterford have recalled defender James Murray for Sunday's All-Ireland hurling quarter-final against Cork - the only change from the team that beat Limerick in the Munster final. Ian O'Riordanreports.
Murray returns to the full-back line in an indirect switch with Kevin Moran, who started at midfield the last day. His return restores the Waterford line-up to that which beat Cork in the Munster semi-final in June. Manager Justin McCarthy preferred Murray's experience over Moran, who played well in the Munster final before being replaced by Murray for the final 15 minutes.
As usual with Waterford selections, positions are largely irrelevant as players move about, but for now Aidan Kearney is selected in the half-back line alongside Ken McGrath and Tony Browne, Eoin Kelly will partner Michael Walsh at midfield, while Dan Shanahan is named at full forward and Seamus Prendergast at centre forward.
Paul Flynn and Jack Kennedy are on the wing, with John Mullane and Stephen Molumphy joining Shanahan in the full-forward line - although they could end up anywhere in the attack. McGrath had been Waterford's only injury concern with a groin strain, but he has recovered.
Sunday's game marks the ninth championship meeting between the teams since 1999, with Cork having won five - including the Munster semi-final and All-Ireland quarter-final of 2005, and last year's All-Ireland semi-final. Waterford hold the winning edge from that Munster semi-final of June 17th, when they outscored their rivals 5-15 to 3-18. Cork were missing three key players that day - Donal Óg Cusack, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Diarmuid O'Sullivan - as a result of the infamous Semple Stadium brawl, and all three will play in Croke Park.
Kilkenny manager Brian Cody makes two changes for tomorrow's quarter-final against Galway - postponed from last week. Derek Lyng has recovered from injury and replaces Michael Fennelly at midfield, as has Aidan Fogarty, who replaces Eoin Reid at corner forward. The only injury concern was Richie Power, who is expected to feature among the substitutes. Galway will announce their team this evening, and will also be at full strength.
Clare won't finalise their team to play Limerick in Sunday's other quarter-final until before throw-in, but defender Gerry Quinn is poised to make a dramatic return to the starting line-up, despite sustaining a serious knee ligament injury in the qualifier win over Galway earlier this month.
Quinn had effectively ruled himself out, but intensive treatment this week with Limerick-based physio Ger Hartmann has proven successful, and he is expected to resume duties at centre back. Tony Griffin has also declared himself fit to play some role, still fresh, it seems, from his recent 7,000km cycle across Canada.
In football, Donegal defender Paddy McConigley has been ruled out of tomorrow's All-Ireland football qualifier against Monaghan at Omagh, the result of a freak accident last weekend. McConigley spent several days in Sligo General Hospital after receiving a facial injury during a team bonding exercise involving paint guns in Milford. Donegal's other regular wing back, Barry Dunnion, is another non-starter as he continues his recovery from groin surgery.
Laois are set to be without Brian "Beano" McDonald for their qualifier against Derry. He sustained injuries this week after being kicked by a horse. McDonald is involved in the horse business. With Darren Rooney ruled out with a knee injury, and Noel Garvan and Chris Conway recovering from injuries, Laois won't be at full strength for the trip to Breffni Park tomorrow afternoon.
Derry have named the same team that beat Mayo in the second round, with Enda Muldoon again starting in the half-forward line, and Paddy Bradley at full forward. Team captain and early All Star contender Kevin McCloy is once again at full back.
Meanwhile, the GAA have confirmed the All-Ireland Poc Fada hurling event will take place on Saturday, August 4th, starting at 12.30. The contest will once again take place on the 5km Annaverna Mountain course, which is situated in Ravensdale, in Louth.
• Kilkenny withstood a Tipperary comeback to ensure a 2-14 to 0-16 win in their final group stages tie in the Gala All-Ireland senior A camogie championship at Toomevara last night.The win wasn't enough to book a semi-finals spot as they already lost four games while Tipperary were safely through with three wins.
SCORERS:Kilkenny - A Neary 1-3 (one free); A Dalton 1-1 (one free); I Kennedy 0-3 (one free); K Power, M Dargan 0-2 each; KA Cottrell, M O'Connor, M Quigley 0-1 each. Tipperary - C Grogan 0-6 (one free, two 45s); J Horan 0-4; N Kennedy, E McDonnell 0-2 each; L Young, P Fogarty 0-1 each.
WATERFORD (SH v Cork):C Hennessy; E Murphy, D Prendergast, J Murray, T Browne, K McGrath, A Kearney; M Walsh (capt), E Kelly; J Kennedy, S Prendergast, P Flynn; J Mullane, D Shanahan, S Molumphy.
KILKENNY (SH v Galway):PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, J Tyrrell; T Walsh, B Hogan, JJ Delaney; D Lyng, J "Cha" Fitzpatrick; E Brennan, H Shefflin (capt), E Larkin; W O'Dwyer, M Comerford, A Fogarty.
DERRY (SF v Laois):B Gillis; M McGoldrick, K McCloy, G O'Kane; L Hinphey, S M Lockhart, F McEldowney; F Doherty, J Conway; B McGoldrick, P Murphy, E Muldoon; C Devlin, P Bradley, C Guilligan.
