Semi-final for Nowlan Park

Kilkenny received some small consolation for their All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Clare on Sunday when they were given a home venue for their National Hurling League semi-final against Limerick.

The match, which is scheduled for Saturday week, August 23rd, will be played at Nowlan Park with the agreement of Limerick. Representatives of the Limerick county board visited the Kilkenny dressing-room after Sunday's match in Croke Park with a view to agreeing on a venue. Nicky Brennan, not in the best of moods for negotiations on the venue, suggested that the venue should be decided on the toss of a coin and Limerick agreed. Kilkenny won the call. The match will the first of a home and away arrangement between the counties.

However, Limerick are not happy with the date and have asked Kilkenny to switch to the following day to facilitate their supporters. However, it is understood that Kilkenny are to insist on a Saturday fixture with a seven o'clock start.

Limerick manager Tom Ryan has some worries in the build-up to the game and, with five players on the injured list, has pleaded with the county board to fly Mark Foley home from the United States, where he is at present working.

Ollie Moran and Pat Heffernan are ruled out because of injuries and Ciaran Carey is due for suspension by the city board. James Moran and Sean O'Neill are others rated doubtful, as is Paudge Tobin who was recently injured in a motoring accident. Limerick have not trained together since their championship defeat by Tipperary in June.

Kilkenny are unlikely to be at full strength for the match. Liam Simpson and Michael Phelan, the two players who missed Sunday's match following hamstring injuries in training, are unlikely to be fit in time. Simpson and Phelan both failed to come through fitness tests on Saturday morning last. Added to those problems are worries about forwards Canice Brennan and PJ Delaney. Brennan left the field towards the end of Sunday's match, with a suspected fractured jaw, while Delaney, who completed the match, is thought to have chipped a bone in his right knee.

The other semi-final between Galway and Tipperary will be played in Ennis, also on Saturday, August 23rd.