Murphy denies Wexford rift despite Stamp exit

Wexford hurling selector Dickie Murphy has denied that there are problems in the panel after the departure of Darren Stamp.

"No. I know how it looks to an outside observer but we're a happy camp," he said last night. "We're not happy that we're not winning but there's no problem with the players."

Stamp became the second player to pull out since the panel was trimmed to 30 last week, joining Robbie Codd who withdrew earlier.

"Darren is changing jobs and was finding it difficult to make the commitment. He'll be away from home a fair bit but there was no animosity in his decision.

"Robbie is young fella who we brought in because of his performances for Rathnure but playing for the county is a big commitment and on top of that he wasn't happy at being taken off against Tipperary."

In addition to these withdrawals Wexford, who are struggling with only one win to date in the National Hurling League, are coping with a rash of injuries. Paul Codd broke his hand last Sunday and will be out for between six and eight weeks while Keith Rossiter and Tomás Mahon are also injured. Wexford play Offaly in Birr next Sunday.

Limerick are awaiting fitness reports on captain Ciaran Carey and Niall Moran before they name their team to play Antrim on Sunday. Carey went over on an ankle in their defeat by Tipperary and Moran sustained a similar injury in the same game.

Peter Lawlor is set to miss the remainder of the league campaign because of an elbow problem, and Brian Geary, who has yet to figure this season, won't be considered because of a long-term injury.

Injury problems have also forced Tipperary manager Ken Hogan to delay naming his side to play Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

David Kennedy (finger), Eddie Enright (wrist) and Brendan Cummins (foot) picked up injuries in last week's game against Antrim.

Hogan is hoping that Lar Corbett, who missed last Sunday's game with hamstring trouble, will be available. The team will be named later this week.

In football, Tyrone will field an unchanged team for Sunday's refixed National Football League clash against Cork.

Manager Mickey Harte has decided not to start under-21 stars Sean Cavanagh and John Devine, allowing them to concentrate on preparing for Saturday's Ulster championship clash against Cavan. Gerard Cavlan will once again line out at midfield with Pascal McConnell deputising for Devine in goal.

The Gaelic Players' Association has awarded scholarships to 12 emerging stars of Gaelic games. The scholarships are being funded by GPA royalties generated through the sales of the Club Energise sports drink.

GPA SCHOLARSHIPS: Christy Toye (Donegal, football), Kenneth Burke (Galway, hurling), Brian Dowling (Kilkenny, hurling), Owen Lennon (Monaghan, football), Morgan Beirne (Roscommon, football), Paul Casey (Dublin, football), Simon Gerrard (Louth, football), Paul Finlay (Monaghan, football), Keith Higgins (Mayo, football and hurling), James Glancy (Leitrim, hurling), JP Casey (Westmeath, football), Seán Kelly (Antrim, football).

TYRONE (SF v Cork): P McConnell; R McMenamin, C Gourley, M McGee; B Donnelly, G Devlin, P Jordan; K Hughes, G Cavlan; B Dooher, B McGuigan, S O'Neill; M Harte, O Mulligan, E McGinley.