Comerford out of All Star tour

News: Kilkenny forward Martin Comerford has opted out of the All Star hurling tour, which sets off tomorrow for the nine-day trip to Phoenix, Arizona.

Comerford was one of 11 Kilkenny players named for the tour, but has now decided against travelling and instead will focus on O'Loughlin Gaels and their upcoming All-Ireland club semi-final against Newtownshandrum on February 15th.

There are several reasons for his withdrawal. Comerford only this weekend returned from the Kilkenny team holiday in Australia, and is known to be carrying a minor injury. And the club championship could still have a bearing on the Kilkenny captaincy for this year. As county champions O'Loughlin Gaels have the right to nominate the Kilkenny captain.

Comerford has emerged as favourite for the role, and is set to succeed DJ Carey as Kilkenny go in search of a third successive All-Ireland title.

Yet several others remain in contention, including older brother and former captain Andy Comerford, as well as Sean Dowling and Brian Dowling, who are other members of O'Loughlin Gaels on the senior panel.

Yesterday the club chairman, John Skehan, explained that so far no formal discussions have taken place. "The captaincy nomination hasn't been officially considered yet," he said. "And in fairness the players have only arrived back from Australia. We will start considering the matter this week, and hope to put a name forward as soon as we can.

"Obviously Martin is a strong contender and would be well up for it, but nothing has been decided yet."

Last year the Kilkenny captaincy ended up in some controversy. Then county champions Young Irelands nominated Charlie Carter for the position, but he later found that his starting place on the Kilkenny team was no longer certain, and he opted out of the panel immediately after their Leinster championship semi-final win over Dublin. As a result Carey, also of Young Irelands, took up the responsibility.

"Well, obviously that is one of the reasons why we'll also be taking our time," added Skehan, "and we want to be careful to avoid another situation like that."

The problem this year is that only Martin Comerford would be deemed certain of a place on the Kilkenny starting line-up. Andy Comerford didn't start any championship match last summer because of injury, although he has rediscovered his best form for O'Loughlin Gaels over the course of the club championship, and is also captain with the club.

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody is also likely to be consulted.

In the meantime, his thoughts are with the All Star tour as he will travel as manager of the 2003 team. Former Clare manager Cyril Lyons takes charge of the 2002 team, and they will play their exhibition game at Scottsdale Community College next Saturday. Limerick's Pat O'Connor travels as the match referee.

As a result of Comerford's withdrawal there was a late call up yesterday for Offaly defender Colm Cassidy. He becomes the second Offaly player to travel, joining forward Brendan Murphy.

It means there are now 12 replacements in total travelling on the tour. Missing from the 2002 team are Brian Lohan, Colin Lynch and DJ Carey, while all four Cork players from the 2003 team - Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Setanta Ó hAilpín, Ronan Curran and Joe Deane - have also withdrawn. With the exception of Setanta, they opted for the Cork team holiday in Vietnam.

There were also four players named on both All Star teams - Comerford, Derek Lyng, Michael Kavanagh and Henry Shefflin - which required the further replacements.

ALL STAR HURLING TOUR - Travelling party: Peter Barry (Kilkenny), Derek Lyng (Kilkenny), Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), Noel Hickey (Kilkenny), Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny), Phil Larkin (Kilkenny), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Ollie Canning (Galway), Brendan Cummins (Tipperary), Eoin Kelly (Tipperary), Paul Kelly (Tipperary), Ken McGrath (Waterford), Fergal Hartley (Waterford), John Mullane (Waterford). Replacements: John Hoyne (Kilkenny), Kevin Broderick (Galway), Benny Dunne (Tipperary), Paul Flynn (Waterford), Eoin Kelly (Waterford), Tony Browne (Waterford), Liam Dunne (Wexford), Daragh Ryan (Wexford), Michael Jordan (Wexford), Davy Fitzgerald (Clare), Tony Griffin (Clare), Brendan Murphy (Offaly), Colm Cassidy (Offaly), Ciaran Herron (Antrim).