O'Connell named on Clare team

P J O'Connell replaces the injured Jamesie O'Connor on the Clare team to play Cork in the Munster hurling final in Semple Stadium on Sunday.

O'Connell, listed at right half forward, is back in favour having opted out of the squad earlier in the year. He later reversed his decision and came on as a substitute in the Munster semi-final replay against Tipperary. O'Connor broke his arm in that match.

Otherwise, it is the same side which outclassed Tipperary, with Ollie Baker and Colin Lynch at midfield and Enda Flannery named at centre forward.

Cork have also decided not to make any radical changes in their side and have named the same 15 players who beat Waterford in the other semi-final.

A most unusual feature of the starting line-out is that only one Cork player has experienced a Munster hurling final before - Brian O'Connor at centre half back. His last appearance in a Munster final was in 1992.

In football, Meath have made two changes for their Leinster semi-final against Offaly at Croke Park. John McDermot, who missed the semi-final win over Wicklow because of flu, returns at the expense of Jimmy McGuinness and Enda McManus resumes at centre half back with Ray Magee losing his place in the reshuffle.

There are a number of positional switches. The most interesting involves defender Donal Curtis moving to the attack. Hank Traynor moves from centre back to left half back to accommodate the return of McManus.

McGuinness, who came in for McDermott in the Wicklow match, was injured in an accident at work during the week.

Offaly delay selection. Colm Quinn, who was injured in their win over Kildare, will not play but there are hopes that Sean Grennan, who was out injured on that occasion, will be fit.

Armagh have left the right corner forward position vacant for their Ulster semi-final against Derry in Clones. The hope is that Diarmuid Marsden, their outstanding but injury-plagued attacker, will be fully fit to take his place.

Armagh include Oisin McConville who was sent off in the replay against Donegal but was later exonerated by the GAA.

Sligo's left corner forward Gerry McGowan is out of the team for Sunday's Connacht semi-final replay in Tuam. McGowan had to leave the field after only 22 minutes last Sunday in Markievicz Park with a broken collarbone. Sligo's other corner forward, Sean Flannery, was also substituted. The man to benefit may be Dessie Sloyane, who replaced Flannery.

Ronan Keane, who deputised for Sean Davey at left half back last Sunday is expected to retain his place. The team will not be named until later today. The news about Eamon O'Hara is good. He was given three stitches on the sideline during Sunday's match and did not train last night as a precaution but he is reported to be certain to retain his place.

Galway have delayed selection until tomorrow night as they await tests on midfielder Shay Walsh, whose fitness was suspect for last Sunday's match, and Paul Clancy who damaged and ankle in the game.

Certain to be picked is Jarlath Fallon who came on late in the match after damaging an ankle as he ran on to the pitch before the game. He has had treatment during the week and has responded well.