Jordan retires after 13 years service to Wexford

WEXFORD FORWARD Michael 'Mitch' Jordan has announced his retirement from intercounty hurling, another blow to the manager, John Meyler.

The 32-year-old said he felt that after 13 seasons playing for the county he could no longer make the desired impact.

The Marshalstown clubman made his championship debut against Westmeath in 1995 and was on the panel when Wexford won the All-Ireland a year later.

Other high points included the 2004 Leinster senior title, when Wexford beat Kilkenny and Offaly.

But he also lost All-Ireland semi-finals with the county in 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

"Unfortunately, I was part of a number of Wexford teams who lost senior All-Ireland semi-finals, but I have no regrets," he said. "I was lucky enough to be part of the 30-man panel for the 1996 All-Ireland . . . and that was a huge buzz.

"I decided a long time ago to call it a day and it was certainly a difficult decision. I've given my life and soul to play for Wexford since 1995, but, after 13 seasons I think the time was right and at 32 years of age I didn't think I had anything to offer."

Elsewhere, Portumna midfielder Eoin Lynch (24) remains a major doubt for their All-Ireland club hurling final against Birr on St Patrick's Day. He broke a thumb in the semi-final win over Loughmore-Castleiney last month and though he will have a pin removed today he has done no hurling training in the meantime.

Cork manager Conor Counihan may have to plan without Michael Cussen when his charges play Westmeath on Saturday evening. The full forward hurt an ankle in a challenge match with Kildare on Saturday after scoring 1-1 and is a doubt for the Páirc Uí Rinn game.

Kerry boss Pat O'Shea has seen his injury crisis compounded by news his wing forward Seán O'Sullivan has damaged medial knee ligaments and will be out for up to six weeks. O'Sullivan picked up the injury during Cromane's Munster club junior B final win over St Oliver Plunkett's of Cork on Sunday in Knockaderry.

Kerry were already facing the trip to play Mayo at the weekend without the injured Paul Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan and Mike Frank Russell. Colm Cooper is in the US and David Moran, Kieran O'Leary, Paul O'Connor and Tommy Walsh are playing for Kerry's under-21s on Saturday. That is nine forwards Kerry must do without.

So some players will have to operate out of position on Sunday, and the likes of Donnacha Walsh, Mike Quirke, Anthony Maher, Eoin Brosnan and Darren O'Sullivan could all start alongside just two starting regulars, Kieran Donaghy and Bryan Sheehan.

Defender Barry Cahill returns to the Dublin team for Saturday evening's Division Two league clash against Monaghan. It will be Cahill's first competitive game of the year having completed his recovery from a knee injury, and he joins Paul Casey and Colin Moran in the half back line.

Ciarán Whelan is again kept in reserve as Shane Ryan and Eamon Fennell continue their midfield partnership. Team captain Alan Brogan will once again lead the attack at centre forward.

DUBLIN (SF v Monaghan): S Cluxton; D Henry, R McConnell, D Murray; P Casey, B Cahill, C Moran; E Fennell, S Ryan; B Cullen, A Brogan, M Vaughan; J Sherlock, C Keaney, B Brogan.

Saturday

Under-21 Football Championship

Leinster - Carlow v Offaly, Carlow, 1pm, D Greene (Wicklow).

Munster - Kerry v Limerick, Tralee, 2.30pm, D O'Mahony (Tipperary); Tipperary v Clare, Ardfinnan, 2.30pm, M Meade (Limerick).

National Hurling League

Division Two A - Mayo v Roscommon, Castlebar, 2.30pm, P Greene (Galway).

National Football League

(All games 7pm unless stated)

Division One - Tyrone v Laois, Omagh, J Bannon (Longford); Donegal v Galway, Ballybofey, A McAlynn (Derry); Derry v Kildare, Celtic Park, E Murtagh (Longford).

Division Two - Cork v Westmeath. Páirc Uí Rinn, A Mangan (Kerry); Dublin v Monaghan, Parnell Park, S Doyle (Wexford); Meath v Cavan, Páirc Tailteann, J McKee (Armagh).

Division Three - Down v Longford, Páirc Esler, P McEnaney (Monaghan).

Division Four - Antrim v Carlow, Casement Park, J White (Carlow), Waterford v London, Dungarvan, 1pm, M McGann (Clare).

Women's Football

NFL Division One B - Monaghan v Cork, Aughnamullen, Monaghan, 2:30pm.

Sunday

(All games 2.30pm unless stated)

National Hurling League

Division One A - Antrim v Cork, Casement Park, A Stapleton (Laois); Kilkenny v Waterford, Nowlan Park, M Haverty (Galway); Wexford v Dublin, Wexford Park, D Connolly (Kilkenny).

Division One B - Clare v Tipperary, Cusack Park, M Wadding (Waterford); Offaly v Limerick, Tullamore, J Ryan (Tipperary); Laois v Galway, Portlaoise, J Owens (Wexford).

Division Two A - Westmeath v Wicklow, Cusack Park, D Magee (Down); Kildare v Kerry, Newbridge, S Whelan (Wexford).

Division Two B - London v Meath, Ruislip, S McMahon (Clare); Carlow v Armagh, Dr Cullen Park, F Smith (Meath); Derry v Down, Banaher, J Devlin (Tyrone).

Division Three - Louth v Tyrone, Dundalk, D O'Donovan (Dublin); Donegal v Longford, Letterkenny, T Mahon (Fermanagh).

Division Four - Down v Fermanagh, Ballela, O Elliot (Antrim); Monaghan v Leitrim, Clones, E Hassen (Derry).

National Football League.

Division One - Mayo v Kerry, Castlebar, J McQuillan (Cavan).

Division Two - Armagh v Roscommon, Crossmaglen, P Fox (Westmeath).

Division Three - Fermanagh v Louth, Linaskea, T Quigley (Dublin); Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, 3pm, B Crowe (Cavan); Limerick v Wexford, Gaelic Grounds, P McGovern (Galway).

Division Four - Wicklow v Offaly, Aughrim, C Reilly (Meath); Kilkenny v Clare, Callan, noon, B O'Shea (Dublin).

Women's Football

NFL Division One A - Armagh v Tyrone, Crossmaglen, noon; Kerry v Wexford, Kilcummin; Mayo v Laois, Mayo. Division One B - Meath v Dublin, Seneschalstown; Kildare v Galway, Celbridge.

Camogie

Leinster Senior Championship Semi-final - Dublin v Wexford, Skerries Harps.

Monday

All-Ireland Club Finals

Hurling - Birr v Portumna, Croke Park, 2pm, J Sexton (Cork).

Football - St Vincent's v Nemo Rangers, Croke Park, 3.45pm, J McQuillan (Cavan).

Under-21 Football Championship

Ulster - Monaghan v Donegal, Ballybay, 2pm, C Branagan (Down).

Ulster Schools Cup Final

McRory Cup - St Michael's, Enniskillen v St Patrick's, Dungannon, Healy Park, Omagh, 1.15pm.