Fitzpatrick back to the grind

KILKENNY CAPTAIN James "Cha" Fitzpatrick has spoken of the groin injury sustained in the closing stages of the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Cork at Croke Park on August 10th.

Tom Kenny was subsequently handed a four-week suspension for striking Fitzpatrick, which will not be served as his team are no longer in the championship, but the midfielder will miss the opening Munster championship match in 2009.

"I've recovered now again after the last match," said Fitzpatrick. "I suppose it was kind of a nasty incident, but it was out of frustration more than anything but that's in the past now.

"I'm just focusing on our training schedule over the next couple of weeks to get myself in top shape again.

"I missed one game against Carrickshock, but I was back again against Tullaroan the other night, so I'm back in full training now."

Kilkenny face Galway in the All-Ireland under-21 hurling semi-final tomorrow, which takes place at Semple Stadium at 2.30pm, and will be televised live on TG4.

Kilkenny's preparations are only slightly hampered by the senior side's pursuit of the three-in-a-row, with only two players - TJ Reid and Richie Hogan - included in both squads and neither expected to play a role in the senior final.

Galway's Joe Canning and goalkeeper James Skehill make the step down from the senior panel as they attempt to retain the All-Ireland under-21 title they won in such impressive fashion last season.

Meanwhile, three of those involved in the Tipperary senior panel that lost to Waterford last Sunday will feature for the under-21s in their semi-final against Ulster champions Derry in Mullingar tomorrow (2.30pm).

Séamus Callinan is expected to make a significant impact in the half-forward line, while he is joined by corner forward Pa Bourke and centre back Thomas Stapleton.

The team shows one change from that which started against Clare in the Munster final. Joey McLoughney is at centrefield with Mark O'Meara making way.

TIPPERARY (U-21H v Derry): M Ryan; M Cahill, P Maher, K Maher; K Lanigan, T Stapleton, B Maher; J McLoughney, S Hennessy, G Ryan, T McGrath, S Callinan; P Burke, P Maher, S Bourke.