Injured Broderick doubtful for final

A hamstring injury picked up during a run-a-way semi-final victory over Derry seems to have ruled out Galway's attacker Kevin Broderick from Sunday's All-Ireland under-21 hurling final against Cork in Thurles. Cyril Farrell and his co-selectors were left with no option but to leave the left wing forward position open after training last night. Broderick didn't take part in the session.

The team doctor does not believe that Broderick will be fit to play at this stage. The Abbey-Duniry industrious sharp-shooter could prove a big loss for the holders who are already set to defend their title without serious match practice.

The match against Derry was a non event as a contest unlike last year when Galway had to overcome a developing Cork side at the semi-final stage.

Broderick's absence will cause a reshuffle not necessarily confined to the attack. The midfield partnership of Gordon Glynn and Rory Gantley could be separated as a result with Gantley the likely choice to move to the vacant attacking position on the wing.

This would afford the chance of a midfield spot for either Brian Carr or Darren Shaughnessy.

Finbar Gantley is not considered to be fully fit because of a recovering hamstring strain but the selectors decided to name him at left full back, a position held by Liam Hodgins in last year's champion side.

Nine of last year's side are chosen to start on Sunday. Goalkeeper Nigel Murray, Rory Gantley and attack leader Martin Cullinane are all new to this grade.

The most notable positional switches from last year's team sees Eugene Cloonan move from goalkeeper to full forward, and Vinnie Maher who played on the forty last year moving to right wing back.

Cork, who head the national honours list with nine titles, two more than Galway, make one change from the side that beat Wexford in the semi-final. But there is nothing surprising about Darren Ronan's return to the full forward berth.

An ankle ligament injury picked up against Tipperary in the Munster final had ruled him out of the semi-final. His performance that day against Paul Shelly was a match feature. Sean O'Farrell is unfortunate to be returning to the bench. His performance against Wexford would normally have been good enough to merit retention. A groin strain which forced him out of a challenge match last Monday did not help his cause.

Seven of the Cork side that was beaten in Ennis in the semi-final last year will be in action. The majority of the thirty players on duty next Sunday are hardly strangers to each other. The counties met in the 1994 minor All-Ireland. Four members of that Cork side Sean O hAilpin, Austin Walsh, Brian O'Driscoll and John O'Flynn are key players for Sunday.

Galway's edge over their Cork rivals in under age competition gives them a psychological advantage and a lack of match practice does not seem to worry the Connacht standard bearers.

Still, Cork's route to the final has been testing. After accounting for Kerry in the first round they dumped the challenges of Clare Tipperary and Wexford. Without Broderick, Galway are still in a position to field the nucleus of last years side with some positional variations.