HURLING/Team news: Concerns about the fitness of key forward Ken McGrath prompted Waterford to delay naming their team last night for Sunday's Munster hurling final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Like their opponents Tipperary, the team will be finalised later today.
The shoulder injury which limited McGrath's role in the semi-final win over Cork last month has been slow to heal and has continued to prevent him from training since. Though he scored the winning point after appearing as a substitute the last day, his lack of fitness is likely to keep him on the bench.
Younger brother Eoin McGrath, who started at corner forward the last day, is also a concern for manager Justin McCarthy as he has only recently recovered from tonsillitis. Defender Brian Greene is back in contention for a starting place having been limited to a cameo role the last day, and otherwise the team is unlikely to be altered in any great way.
Opponents Tipperary are also expected to make few, if any, changes from the side which beat Limerick in the semi-final earlier this month. Despite some reports, Eddie Enright, though back to full fitness, won't be in contention for a starting place as he has recently switched jobs and has been away in recent weeks.
Elsewhere, Cork have sensationally dropped their entire half-forward line for their first-round All-Ireland hurling qualifier against Limerick at Thurles on Saturday evening (6.15).
In a surprise decision the selectors have dropped Jer O'Connor, Fergal McCormack and Niall McCarthy after they failed to get a single score between them when shocked by Waterford 1-16 to 1-15 in Thurles last month.
Into the altered team come Na Piarsiagh club teenager John Gardiner, together with Alan Browne and Seanie McGrath. The latter two come into the half-forward line where they are joined by Timmy McCarthy, who played midfield against Waterford, with Derek Barrett being switched from wing back as the new partner for Alan Cummins at midfield.
Barrett's place at right half back is taken by Seán Ó hAilpín who moves across from the left to make room for Gardiner, who will make his senior championship debut. Gardiner previously starred at centre back with last year's All-Ireland winning Cork minor team and figured regularly during the National League up to the semi-final.
Limerick have been forced to replace injured goalkeeper Joe Quaid with Albert Shanahan. The highly experienced Quaid was suffering with a knee injury, though Shanahan has previously gained championship experience having played in 1997.
There are four changes in personnel in total. The full-back line remains unchanged from the side that fell to Tipperary, but Clem Smith is given a starting place at wing back and Peter Lawlor moves to midfield in an indirect swap for Mike O'Brien.
Stephen Lucey thus moves up to centre forward, where he will be joined in the half-forward line by Ollie Moran and Barry Foley, who comes in for Paul O'Grady. Donie Ryan also gets a starting place at corner forward with Eoin O'Neill the man to lose out.
Ciarán Carey was a doubtful starter having had stitches for a facial injury last week though not surprisingly he takes his place at midfield.
CORK (SH v Limerick): D Óg Cusack; W Sherlock, D O'Sullivan, F Ryan; S Ó hAilpín, J Browne, J Gardiner; A Cummins, D Barrett; T McCarthy, A Browne, S McGrath; B O'Connor, E Collins, J Deane.
LIMERICK (SH v Cork): A Shanahan; D Reale, TJ Ryan, S McDonagh; C Smith, B Geary, M Foley; P Lawlor, C Carey; O Moran, S Lucey, B Foley; D Ryan, B Begley, M Keane.
