Kilkenny glad to have two more goes

Kilkenny hurling will be keen to make a quick recovery from the All-Ireland final defeat to Cork when they go in search of both the minor and under-21 titles this weekend.

This means a chance at immediate, albeit partial, redemption for senior players James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, Tommy Walsh and Conor Phelan as Kilkenny host Tipperary at Nowlan Park in the under-21 final this Saturday.

"Their focus is excellent," said manager Martin Fogarty. "We were back training Tuesday night at half-six and the three guys were on the field at quarter-past. I suppose it's a chance for them to exorcise the ghost of last week, while the rest of them have to wait until the league starts up again in a couple of months."

Fogarty was quick to look beyond last Sunday's match with all his energies focused on the Munster champions: "How the seniors got on, or didn't get on, is incidental to us. Our lads are just 100 per cent focused to win, so whatever happens around them is immaterial. You can't get any better than 100 per cent."

Like last week Kilkenny are the defending champions, while the winners of the contest will take the lead on the all-time list as both counties stand on eight All-Ireland under-21 titles.

For Tipperary it has been nine years since their last success at this level so after victories over Limerick, Cork and Down they have plenty of motivation to spoil another Kilkenny day.

On the minor front, Kilkenny manager Br Damien Brennan has named the same side that drew last Sunday's All-Ireland final ahead of Sunday's replay against Galway in Tullamore. The panel was completely rested this week and will only have a light run-out tonight.

Meanwhile, Clare and Sixmilebridge goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald has negotiated a two-year contract with Umbro. And despite being an inter-county hurler since 1990, Fitzgerald has no intention of retiring.

"I am now looking forward to my 16th championship season with Clare in 2005," he said. "I am not a member of the Gaelic Players Association and I personally negotiated this deal. I would like to thank Umbro for their assistance and I promise to help the company in any way I can."

Fitzgerald's autobiography, co-written by Jackie Cahill, GAA Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mirror, will be in bookshops in November.

Joe Kernan is expected to be named as Armagh manager for 2005 when the county board consults with the clubs next Tuesday. His decision to stay on may prompt several senior players to return for another year.

KILKENNY (MH v Galway): L Tierney; J Maher, K Joyce, E Walsh; N Prendergast, R Maher, S Prendergast; P Hartley, P Hogan; G Nolan, M Nolan, N Kenny; R Hogan, E O'Donoghue, E Guinan.