McMahon returns to duty as Clare prove too strong for Dublin:DIARMUID McMAHON made a return to intercounty duty as Clare defeated Dublin 0-29 to 2-20 in a high-scoring senior hurling challenge in Nenagh last night.
McMahon travelled to Australia after last year's championship and had not featured for Clare during the National League.
Peter Kelly bagged a fortuitous first-half goal as Clare goalkeeper Philip Brennan misjudged the wing-back's lengthy 22nd-minute delivery. That score levelled the tie at 1-5 to 0-8 but Clare led 0-17 to 1-11 at half-time.
A superb goal by Dublin top-scorer, Kevin Flynn, levelled the game at 0-21 to 2-15 on 52 minutes but Clare responded to seal victory.
CLARE:P Brennan; G O'Grady, F Lohan, T Keogh; B Bugler, C Plunkett (0-1, free), D Clancy; P Vaughan (0-2), C Lynch (0-2); D O'Rourke (0-3), D McMahon (0-1), D Barrett (0-3); N Gilligan (0-5), B Nugent (0-3), M O'Flaherty (0-7, three frees, two 65).
Subs: P Donnellan for Keogh, M Murphy (0-1) for C Lynch, F Lynch (0-1) for O'Rourke, G O'Connell for O'Grady, T Holland for Lohan, P O'Brien for Clancy, C Lafferty for Nugent, M Hawes for Bugler, B Lynch for Vaughan, C Hassett for Gilligan.
DUBLIN:G Maguire; G Bennett, S Hiney, N Corcoran; M Carton, R Fallon, P Kelly (1-0); J McCaffrey (0-2), S Lambert; D Qualter (0-1), J Burke (0-2), K Flynn (1-5); P Ryan (0-6,six frees), J Kelly, P Carton (0-1).
Subs: S Mullen for Ryan, D O'Reilly for P Kelly, D Curtin (0-2) for Qualter, P O'Driscoll (0-1)for J Kelly, P Garbutt for Burke.
McGinnity's injury a significant blow for Louth
LOUTH FOOTBALLERS have suffered a massive body blow to their hopes of pulling off a giant-killing championship victory over Dublin.
Inspirational defender Peter McGinnity has been ruled out of the Croke Park fixture on June 8th after aggravating a groin injury that had been troubling him for some time.
The long-serving McGinnity had been making good progress in his rehabilitation, and the Louth boss Eamonn McEneaney had been optimistic the player would be in contention for a starting place against the Dubs.
But this latest setback means the 28-year-old Dundalk Gaels clubman has no chance of even being in the frame for a place on the bench for the showdown at headquarters.
"Peter was the captain of the team last year, and his unavailability is a huge blow for us," stressed McEneaney. "On a more positive note, full-back Colin Goss has recovered well from a groin injury."
Collins hopeful of comeback
GALWAY CAPTAIN David Collins isn't giving up hope of playing some role in this year's championship.
Collins hasn't hurled since dislocating an ankle while playing for Connacht in last October's interprovincial final at Croke Park and has yet to return to full training.
But while resigned to missing Galway's championship opener, against Antrim on June 28th, he remains hopeful of featuring later in the campaign.
"Hopefully, we'll still be involved in the All-Ireland in August - and even in the final in September. I might be able to make some contribution to the team," he said.
McCarthy calls up footballers
WATERFORD senior hurling manager Justin McCarthy has added to his injury-hit squad by calling up two players from the county's football panel.
Gary Hurney has been rewarded for impressive recent club form with Abbeyside while Fourmilewater's Liam Lawlor has been handed a recall to McCarthy's set-up having been left out of the squad last year.
Hurney was a member of the Ballinacourty team that captured last year's Waterford senior football championship. Lawlor plays his club football with The Nire, 2006 county champions.
