GAA:IT'S PERHAPS ominous for Cork that for the first time this season Galway manager John McIntyre has named an unchanged team for Saturday's All-Ireland qualifier at the Gaelic Grounds.
After the heavy criticism before and after their Leinster semi-final defeat to Dublin, McIntyre made six changes for last weekend’s qualifier against Clare – which resulted in a resounding 17-point victory. It could well be he’s found his winning formula at last.
David Burke has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in that game to retain his place at midfield, with the likes of Damien Joyce and Cyril Donnellan once again kept in reserve, as Damien Hayes takes over the captaincy in the full-forward line alongside Joe Canning and Alan Kerins.
Cork manager Denis Walsh welcomes back Ronan Curran to centre back, with Eoin Cadogan straight back from football duties to hold down the full-back position and William Egan moving to midfield in place of Pa Cronin.
Graham Geraghty’s much-hyped comeback in Meath has been cut short by an Achilles tendon injury, which has now torn and will require surgery. Geraghty has already expressed an interest in coming back next year, when he’ll be 39, claiming the injury has only made him more determined to extend his career yet further.
Sligo veteran Eamonn O’Hara is also facing a possible career-ending injury after he ruptured his cruciate knee ligament playing for his club Tourlestrane at the weekend. The 35-year-old former All-Star had intended to play on with the county despite their unceremonious exit from the championship this year, but faces an uphill struggle to overcome this injury, having already suffered a cruciate ligament injury in 2005, and missed large parts of 2010 with a snapped tendon in his foot.
Emmet Bolton is Kildare’s main injury concern ahead of their qualifier showdown against neighbours Laois. Bolton sustained a leg injury in training this week, with fellow defender Ollie Lyons already doubtful with a shoulder injury. However, midfielders Daryl Flynn and Mikey Conway are proving their match fitness and could yet feature in Kieran McGeeney’s line-up.
Leitrim manager Mickey Moran has confirmed defender Wayne McKeon won’t feature in their qualifier against Down, but had been dropped for disciplinary reasons, and had not simply left the panel.
CORK (SHC v Galway): D Óg Cusack; S McDonnell, E Cadogan, B Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, S O'Neill; J O'Connor, W Egan; B O'Connor, C McCarthy, N McCarthy; L O'Farrell, P O'Sullivan, P Horgan.
GALWAY (SHC v Cork): J Skehill; F Moore, S Kavanagh, D Collins; D Barry, T Óg Regan, A Cullinane; D Burke, A Smith; J Gantley, G Farragher, I Tannian; D Hayes, J Canning, A Kerins.
2010 McNAMEE AWARDS WINNERS: Best GAA Publication: From Clonard To Croke: A History of St Galls GAC, 1910-2010. Best GAA Website: Clan na Gael GAA Club, Co Armagh. Best Photograph: Caroline Quinn, Caroline Quinn Photography. Best GAA Programme: Tipperary SHC final programme. Best GAA related Radio Programme: South East Radio for Fitzy's Farewell. Provincial Media Award: Roscommon Herald for Dermot Earley tribute supplement. National Media Award: Enda McEvoy, Sunday Tribune, From there to here. Gradam na Gaeilge/Irish Language Award: TG4; Darragh Ó Sé Rí na Ríochta Hall of Fame Award: Micheál McGeary GAA journalist (now retired), Irish News, Sunday Life, Belfast Telegraph.
