CORK have left one of their midfield positions vacant for their clash with Kiidare in the semi-final of the Church and General National League at Croke Park on Sunday. None of the other three teams have announced their selections as they wait apparently, for fitness reports on key players.
Cork midfielder Liam Honohan, who was injured early in the quarter-final against Louth and was replaced by Sean Og O hAilpin, is still doubtful. O hAilpin would again be the likely replacement.
Otherwise the Cork team will be unchanged, although if Honohan is unfit several positional alterations may be made to the side. These alterations could involve experienced players such as Niall Cahalane, Steven O'Brien and Brian Corcoran.
Also figuring in a possible move could be Colin Corkery who, for the moment at least, is slotted in at full forward.
Kerry, who face Laois in the other semi-final, will announce their team this morning. The county meets Clare in the Munster Under-21 championship final ink Tralee tonight, and the senior selectors will be hoping that four of the regular senior squad will come through unscathed in that match.
The four are: Barry O'Shea from Tralee O'Rahilly's, Denis O'Dwyer from Waterville, James, O'Shea from Foilmore and Mike Frank Russell from Laune Rangers.
Laois, after, their fine performance in beating Derry 4-13 to 1-10 in the quarter-final, when Hugh Emerson scored a rare hat-trick, are unlikely to make any unforced changes in the line-up.
Michael Lawlor, sent off against Dublin some weeks ago, returns after suspension.
The two semi-finals at Croke Park on Sunday will not go to extra time but will be replayed, if necessary. Cork may be pleased about this regulation.
Meanwhile, Dublin's promising forward, Jim Gavin was injured in the Round Towers match with Clontarf last Sunday and may be ruled out of action for some time. He had just recovered from a groin injury which was slow to heal, but now a knee problem could force him out of the game for another lengthy period. Also on the Dublin injured list is goalkeeper John O'Leary.
Tomorrow night's Munster minor football championship semi-finals will see Limerick and Tipperary clash at Newcastlewest, while Waterford meet Clare in Tipperary Town. Both matches are at 7.0 p.m.
The Leinster special Under-21 championship semi-final between Carlow and Westmeath has been switched from Carlow to McGrath, Park, Bagenelstown. It is now fixed for Saturday at 3.30 p.m.
The other fixture in this competition, the replay between Kildare and Wicklow, will have to go to extra time if necessary and is fixed for Newbridge on Sunday with a start at 11.45 am.
Ballymena is the venue on Saturday for a seminar on playing football and hurling in Antrim. Brian McEniff of Donegal, Sean Walsh from Kerry, Sean McCague from Monaghan, Adrian McGuckin from Derry, Declan O'Neill from Tyrone, and Jim Ryan, from the national coaching and games development committee from Croke Park, will be present.
The purpose of the seminar is to improve the standard of football and hurling in Antrim and all aspects of development and administration will be covered.
New GAA president Joe McDonagh last night attended his first function in his home county of Galway since he took office at the weekend. He attended the AIB bank-sponsored Galway RTC clubs and societies special achievement awards for 1997 as guest of honour. Award recipients included Imelda Hobbins, who won the hall of fame award. Hobbins captained Galway to their first-ever success in senior camogie.
