Quaid will face Clare despite injury

LIMERICK goalkeeper Joe Quaid, who sustained a hairline fracture to a bone in a finger at training 12 days ago, has been declared fit to face All Ireland and Munster champions Clare in the all ticket provincial hurling semi final at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

Manager Tom Ryan relied on medical evidence last night when the team to face Clare was finalised, and Quaid was deemed fit enough to take his place. The team shows just one change from that which started against Cork in the quarter final, T J Ryan replacing the injured Damien Quigley at left corner forward.

Quigley sustained a broken thumb during that encounter with Cork, and team boss Ryan commented. "I feel sorry for the lad. Not only is he missing Sunday's match, but the injury, unfortunately, forced him to miss his final Accountancy exams.

"He is a big loss to us," added Tom Ryan. "Damien is unquestionably one of our star forwards and we will miss him badly.

T J Ryan replaced the injured Quigley in the course of the win over Cork, so his promotion to the starting line up was expected. Given Limerick's superlative display on that occasion, the selectors have opted to leave well enough alone apart from Quigley's enforced absence.

While former All Star Quigley's absence from the clash was always on the cards, Quaid's possible omission didn't arise until recent days. "Although Joe sustained the injury at training last Friday night week, we didn't initially think it was serious. However, he didn't train at all last week but, thankfully, he has been passed fit," said Tom Ryan.

After Limerick's impressive win over Cork in the quarter final, expectations in the county have risen accordingly. Ryan, however, has attempted to get his side to focus on the Clare match which, given the "derby" clement and the question of avenging last year's defeat, hasn't proved too difficult. "Things have gone quite well in training. The team is in good shape, good form. We are just winding things down now in training in order to let everyone concentrate on the match itself."

Clare expect to name their side tomorrow for the encounter, Which is being televised live on RTE, but which has caught the imagination of Shannon side, with a huge demand on the respective county boards for tickets.

The only definite absentee from the Clare side is Barry Murphy, who made an impressive impact during the National League campaign. Murphy is a long term injury casualty and is not even on the panel at the moment.

Tipperary, meanwhile, have made two changes from the side that beat Waterford for their semi final match with Kerry at Tralee on Saturday night.

Raymie Ryan, who damaged shoulder ligaments in that match, has been ruled out on medical advice and is replaced by Conal Bonnar, while midfielder Brian O'Meara is dropped. Liam McGrath, who played at centre forward against Waterford, switches to midfield, with Kevin Kennedy getting the number 11 jersey.

In an additional position change, Declan Ryan, who started at right corner forward last Sunday week, moves out to right half forward in a direct swap with Liam Cahill, who made an impressive introduction to championship action.

"Raymie (Ryan) never really had a chance to make it," said selector Ken Hogan. "He hasn't even been able to resume training yet.

"Our preparations probably haven't gone as well as we would have liked, simply because there were a lot of club matches last weekend. However, we have to approach Sunday's match in the right frame of mind it is a Munster semifinal and we can't afford to think of it in any other way," said Hogan.

Jerome O'Sullivan, who had the plaster taken off a hand injury over the weekend, and Martin McKivergan are causing concern in the Kerry camp.

O'Sullivan actually picked up the injury just it days ago and it was placed in plaster as a precaution. "His hand is very stiff at the present time, but hopefully the extra few days will give him enough time to be able to face Tipperary," said Kerry manager John Meyler.

Kerry, as ever, are the underdogs but Meyler maintained. "That is just the way we like it. And everyone is talking about the Clare Limerick match, which takes all the attention away from us. "I'm happy enough with the way our preparations have gone," added Meyler, who mixed challenge matches against Clare with games against Cork and Limerick junior sides in their build up.