Kerry's problem would be envy of the masses

TEAM NEWS:THE PROBLEM facing Kerry manager Jack O'Connor ahead of Sunday's Munster football semi-final against Cork is not so much the injured players – such as Kieran Donaghy, Séamus Scanlon, Anthony Maher and Killian Young – but rather which of the non-injured players that he won't get to start. That's how it is with the embarrassment of football riches in the Kingdom.

Darragh Ó Sé may well lose out on a starting place at midfield – injury or suspension aside – for the first time in 14 years, as Tadhg Kennelly looks set to partner Micheál Quirke.

Tommy Walsh sustained a slight ankle strain in training last Friday, but will make it, with David Moran in line for his championship start at centre forward.

Paul Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan, Colm Cooper are also set to start, which means the remaining two forward spots must be drawn from the likes of Darren O’Sullivan, Donnacha Walsh and Bryan Sheehan.

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy will this morning announce his team to play Meath in Sunday’s Leinster quarter-final, and few of the seasoned players are guaranteed selection. Alan Hubbard, Denis Bastick and Ger Brennan are in contention for defensive positions, with Kilmacud Crokes’ Mark Davoren set to start up front.

Club-mate Mark Vaughan is out of contention as he requires more time to recover from a back strain. Diarmuid Connolly and Paul Flynn are likely to feature up front ahead of the likes of Jason Sherlock, Kevin Bonner and Tomás Quinn.

Cavan forward Seanie Johnston has recovered from a hamstring strain and is named at right corner forward for Saturday’s Ulster football quarter-final against Fermanagh at Kingspan Breffni Park.

There are two Ulster championship debutants named, with John McCutcheon and Eugene Keating both starting in the half back line.

Fermanagh manager Malachy O’Rourke has Barry Owens and Ciarán O’Reilly back to full fitness.

It has been confirmed that Monaghan will be seeking a hearing on both proposed penalties – the monetary fine and the proposed eight-week suspension of Tomas Freeman – handed down by CCCC as a result of incidents in their Ulster championship game against Derry on May 24th.

Defending Munster under-21 hurling champions Tipperary have nine senior panellists in their starting team for this evening’s quarter-final against Cork at Semple Stadium.

Full back Pádraig Maher, centre forward Séamus Callanan and half forward Noel McGrath all started last Sunday’s senior clash with Cork, while Gearóid Ryan and Brendan Maher came on in the second half. Thomas Stapleton, Séamus Hennessy, Pa Bourke and Padraig Maher are also part of Liam Sheedy’s senior squad.

CAVAN (SFC v Fermanagh):J Reilly; M Hannon, D Sheridan, M Brides; J McCutcheon, E Keating, P O'Reilly; N Walsh, C Galligan; S Brady, R Flanagan, C Mackey; S Johnston, R Cullivan, M Reilly.

TIPPERARY (U-21H v Cork):B McCormack; D Maher, P Maher, K Maher; B Maher, T Stapleton, T McGrath; S Hennessy, G Ryan; M Gleeson, S Callanan, N McGrath; P Bourke, P Maher, S Burke.