News: Birr have encountered their "worst ever" injury problems as they continue the quest for an unprecedented third successive All-Ireland club hurling title. Four key players will miss Sunday's Leinster semi-final against Castletown, and manager Pad Joe Whelahan has real fears about surviving what has always proved a difficult assignment.
Missing will be Simon Whelahan, Barry Whelahan, Paul Molloy, and Liam Power - they all played a part in the Offaly club's successful All-Ireland final last March. Simon Whelahan was Birr's top scorer during that campaign, and Molloy had been in good form recently but broke fingers in training on Saturday.
For Pad Joe Whelahan any talk of extending the two-year unbeaten streak is quickly played down. "I really fear this run could be finish on Sunday. It's unbelievable the injuries we have at the moment. We're really badly hit, the worst ever. So it's looking really bad for us right now.
"I said at the start of the year that if we won the county final again I'd be happy enough. But I think the team could have been as good as last year. If I had those four no one would beat us.
"But you can't be missing four of your top players. And there's no chance even one of them might make it."
There may be some encouragement in that Castletown don't appear to be playing well at the moment. The Laois champions struggled to put away Craobh Chiarain of Dublin in the quarter-final.
"Of course we'll have a crack at it," added Whelahan. "But Castletown must be feeling it's their time because they've come close every year. Still, I think the Kilkenny champions O'Loughlin's are the team to beat this year."
Whelahan will still have much to focus on over the coming weeks as he settles into his new job as Limerick senior hurling manager. Having taken over from Dave Keane, the Offaly man is clearly excited about expanding his managerial experiences.
"I'm looking forward to it. It's a great challenge and I'm confident about it. It's still the same game of hurling we're talking about.
"We'll have our first big meeting this weekend. And I'll sit down with my selectors for the first time on Wednesday night and we'll take it from there."
Though reticent to talk about his immediate future as Birr manager, Whelahan suggested he would have to take a back seat in the club scene next season, and give Limerick his full attention. Yet, it may still be possible to play some sort of role with Birr.
"We haven't talked about that yet. And Limerick haven't said a word to me about it . . . But I don't really think it will be possible to combine the two."
The success of the Railway Cup's excursion to Rome, where Leinster defeated Connacht 4-9 to 2-12, has prompted GAA president Seán Kelly to suggest similar ventures in the coming years.
A hard-fought game was warmly received by about 1,200 spectators and ended with an invitation to return to Rome next year. Kelly, however, hinted another European venue would be the more likely option.
I hope to have talks with other Irish centres around Europe before deciding on what we should do next year," he said, "but I'm happy this has all been worthwhile."
The Leinster Council has announced the draws for the O'Byrne, Walsh and Kehoe Cup competitions, which start next January. Páidí Ó Sé's Westmeath team are one of the first in action in the O'Byrne Cup when they play Louth, with winners meeting champions Kildare.
O'BYRNE CUP SF DRAW: 1. Westmeath v Louth; 2. 1 v Kildare; 3. Carlow v Wicklow; 4. 3 v Dublin; 5. Longford v Laois; 6. 5 v Meath; 7. Wexford v D.I.T. 8. 7 v Offaly; 9. 2 v 4; 10. 6 v 8. Dates: Games 1, 3, 5, 7 on January 4th; Games 2, 4, 6, 8 on Janiuary 11th; Semi-finals on January 18th; Final on January 25th.
WALSH CUP SH DRAW: 1. Kilkenny; 2. Wexford v Dublin; 3. Offaly v Laois; 4. Westmeath v U.C.D; 5. 1 v 2; 6. 3 v 4; Dates: Games 2, 3, 4 on January 25th; Games 5, 6 on February 1st; Final on February 8th.
KEHOE CUP SH DRAW: 1. Wicklow; 2. Kildare v Carlow; 3. Meath 4. Louth v D.I.T.; 5. 1 v 2; 6. 3 v 4 Dates: Games 2, 4 on January 25th; Games 5, 6 on February 1st; Final on February 8th.
