More injury woes for Wexford

Considering the enormity of the task they face against Kilkenny in the Leinster hurling semi-final at Croke Park on Sunday, Wexford…

Considering the enormity of the task they face against Kilkenny in the Leinster hurling semi-final at Croke Park on Sunday, Wexford could have done without their current injury crisis.

With Keith Rossiter and MJ Furlong already ruled out with broken bones in their hands, further doubts still surround the availability of Paul Codd (hamstring), Colm Kehoe, Barry Lambert and, significantly, Larry Murphy (groin). Manager John Conran has delayed naming a team until after training tomorrow night.

Kilkenny will be able to name a full-strength side after their only major concern, DJ Carey, recovered from a neck injury. However, panel members Jackie Tyrrell and Eddie Mackey are on the treatment table.

The Munster under-21 hurling championship semi-finals take place tonight with Limerick, who include senior players Niall Moran and Andrew O'Shaughnessy in their line-up, expected to overwhelm Kerry in Tralee, while Clare could push Cork all the way in Limerick.

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In football, Kildare and Offaly, who clash in Newbridge in the main event of Saturday's All-Ireland qualifiers, will name their teams tonight.

Dublin will be without four members of their panel for the qualifier against London at Parnell Park. As planned, Conal Keaney and Stephen Hiney have returned to Humphrey Kelleher's hurling set-up to prepare for a return to Croke Park to face Westmeath once more this Sunday.

Hiney, who played on the under-21 football team this year, was on the bench last weekend but Keaney made his championship debut before being replaced in the second half by Ray Cosgrove.

Dublin will also be without the experienced Colin Moran (dead leg) and Darren Homan, who had to leave the field after a collision with team-mate Darren Magee.

Longford's Niall Sheridan is in a race against time to be fit for his county's clash with Monaghan in Clones. The full forward was the key man in their enthralling first-round tie against Carlow. Sheridan has been carrying the back/thigh complaint for some time now and sat out a recent challenge match against Louth.

Derry are also sweating ahead of their trip to Aughrim to play Wicklow as doubts surround the availability of Enda Muldoon and Paul McFlynn. Muldoon is suffering from a hamstring complaint and McFlynn has an injured back.

LIMERICK (Under-21H): W Tobin; G Heageney, S Barry, J O'Connor; K O'Mahony, M O'Brien, R Murphy; J Ryan, R Hayes; N Moran, I Bourke, P Russell; A O'Shaughnessy, B Murray, P Kirby.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent