Byrne and Leahy named in Tipperary panel

NEWS: Former Kilkenny captain Denis Byrne and veteran John Leahy have been named in the Tipperary panel for Sunday's National Hurling League match against Galway in Thurles. Byrne transferred from his home club Graigue-Ballycallan to Mullinahone, just across the border in Tipperary and also transferred his county allegiance.

Leahy was forced out of action during Tipperary's first match in the All-Ireland campaign of 2001, damaging his cruciate within seconds of coming on as a replacement against Clare. He was still unable to play any part in last year's campaign but helped steer his club Mullinahone to a first county title.

Byrne's rapid advancement to the verge of the Tipperary team has been controversial and should attract even more publicity if his adopted and original counties maintain current course for a meeting in next month's league final.

Otherwise Tipperary show one change. John Carroll cracked a bone in his back during the win over Kilkenny last weekend and will be out for a number of weeks. His place is taken by Liam Cahill.

Sunday also sees the National Football League semi-finals at Croke Park. Surprise qualifiers Fermanagh have made just one change for their meeting with neighbours Tyrone. Ryan McCloskey has recovered from injury and will take his place at right corner back with Clive Fitzpatrick, who filled in against Mayo, reverting to the bench.

In the other semi-final All-Ireland champions Armagh may be missing their All Star forward Oisín McConville who is suffering from a hamstring pull. "It's healing," according to manager Joe Kernan, "but we may decide not to risk it because if he aggravated the injury ther might be a question mark over his fitness for next month (Armagh face Monaghan in their first title defence in Ulster)." The team will be announced tomorrow night.

In the Division Two semi-finals Wexford and Limerick, both breaking ground next year in the top flight, meet on Easter Monday in Portlaoise. Although Limerick have a number of dual players, Wexford have only one, Rory Mallon and he is named in a team unchanged from that which clinched promotion with a narrow win over Carlow.

Wexford are currently taking a leaf out of Armagh's book with a week's warm-weather training in La Manga in Spain. They will only return at the weekend, just ahead of the semi-final.

Meanwhile, veteran Down forward Mickey Linden has come out of retirement at the age of 40. Linden, who was Footballer of the Year in 1994 and has two All-Ireland medals, hasn't played for the county since last summer.

This afternoon at Croke Park, the Ireland under-17s take on their Australian counterparts in this year's junior International Rules series. At the weekend the home side had an encouraging, if narrow, win against the visitors and stand on the verge of recording what would be Ireland's first win at this level since the concept was revived in 1999.

Billy Morgan has been named the Philips Manager of the Month for March. Morgan was in charge of Nemo Rangers as they recorded a seventh All-Ireland club football victory on St Patrick's Day - avenging defeat by Crossmolina in the final in 2001.

TIPPERARY (SH v Galway): B Cummins; M Maher, P Maher, B Dunne; E Corcoran, D Kennedy, B Horgan; T Dunne, N Morris; M O'Leary, C Gleeson, L Cahill; E Kelly, G O'Grady, L Corbett.

FERMANAGH (SF v Tyrone): Ronan Gallagher; R McCloskey, B Owens, M Lilley; N Cox, J Gilheaney, S McDermott; M McGrath, P Brewster; T Brewster, Raymond Gallagher, K Donnelly; R McCabe, S Maguire, R Keenan.

WEXFORD (SF v Limerick): J Cooper; C Morris, P Wallace, N Murphy; R Mallon, D Murphy, L O'Brien; R Hassey, W Carley; P Colfer, D Breen, M Forde; S Doran, J Hegarty, P Carley.