Waterford look to new blood

The Waterford side to face holders Kilkenny in Sunday's opening NHL series contains four newcomers.

After lengthy deliberation, Justin McCarthy and his selectors finalised the team in the absence of first-team regulars Ken McGrath (recovering from keyhole surgery), Eoin McGrath (suspended) and James Murray (currently in Australia).

Into the team for first competitive appearances come Mount Sion goalkeeper Ian O'Regan, who played in the recent tournament match against Tipperary and who relegates Stephen Brenner to the bench, David O'Brien, Brian Phelan and Seán Ryan. Tom Feeney, named at right-corner back, has moved to Cork where he is playing with Sarsfields.

Antrim will have to do without seven Dunloy players for the resumption of their Division One campaign at Wexford Park this weekend. Manager Dinny Cahill brings in three debutants, Micheál Magill, and brothers Martin and Joey Scullion.

In addition to the Dunloy contingent, preparing for the All-Ireland club final, Antrim are missing Jim Connolly (ankle) and Mickey Kettle (on holidays).

Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy has expressed opposition to any relaxation of Rule 42 (the provision used to prevent soccer and rugby being played in Croke Park), which is due to be debated at Congress. The comments are part of his annual report to the upcoming Ulster convention.

"We recently witnessed that a new stadium is to be built in Dublin with a huge input of public funds but there was no such support evident when we were promised funding. There are major implications for our association now and in the future and unless there is a clear case to change then there are definite reasons not to change. There has been no conclusive case made to date that should change Rial 42 and there has been little evidence that those who stand to benefit from any change in Rial 42 have our associations well being at heart."

Murphy also addressed the findings of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman's report into the murder of Bellaghy's Seán Brown in 1997. "We must not be satisfied with the lack of investigation that was evident in the Ombudsman's report. There is a need for a clear approach to establishing the fact relating to his death and if possible to those responsible."

The report also expresses misgivings about the proposed changes to the hurling championship - a senior All-Ireland with restricted entry and two graded championships for the remaining counties. "It appears that we are about to change the hurling championship again and there is little to encourage our senior participants be they from Ulster or from London or New York. We entered into the current arrangement to the mutual benefit of hurling in this province and in these two overseas units.

"It appears that unless a county plays senior then the level of encouragement diminishes. The reintroduction of the Senior B even with a famous name attached will do little to encourage our counties and it appears that the complete intercounty season for most will start in February and finish in June.

"This may produce great hurling heroes and games, but there is little prospect that these will be from Ulster or involve teams from this province."

WATERFORD (SH v Kilkenny): I O'Regan; T Feeney, D Prendergast, D O'Brien; E Murphy, T Browne, B Phelan; D Bennett, M Walsh; E Kelly, D Shanahan, P Flynn; J Mullane, S Prendergast, S Ryan.

ANTRIM (SH v Wexford): DD Quinn; J Campbell, I Kelly, M Magill; M McCambridge, K McKeegan, C Herron; B Herron, G Bell; M Scullion, M Herron, J Scullion; A Delargy, B McFall, L Watson.