NIGLL SHAUGHNESSY has been declared fully fit and regains his place at centre half back in the Galway team to play Wexford in Sunday's All Ireland senior hurling semi final at Croke Park.
Shaughnessy came through a fitness test ahead of time. He suffered no ill effects from his calf muscle injury while playing for the senior team against the county's under 21 side in a 35 minute match in Athenry last Sunday.
As a result of Shaughnessy's return, Padraig Kelly loses out and the half back line returns to its normal composition with Conor O'Donovan, who deputised in the pivotal position during Shaughnessy's absence, returning to the right wing back spot and Michael Donoghue remaining on the left.
Brian Feeney's performance against New York, supplemented by his excellent form in training, allows him to retain the full back spot ahead of Paul Cooney.
Galway manager Mattie Murphy is not perturbed by his team's lack of a real competitive match since lifting the League title in May. "Competition has very little to do with it in our case. We are a settled side at the moment and I am particularly pleased with the response to training.
He also suggested that Galway's win over Wexford in the League semi final could have no bearing on Sunday's match. "Wexford have improved and, and most matches are different. Take drawn games, for example, in replays teams are sometimes beaten by 10 points and more."
Limerick boss Tom Ryan reports a fully fit team for Sunday's Croke Park opener against Antrim. He is pleased to see the four younger players in his team gain experience at Croke Park.
Eoin O'Neill, Barry Foley, Mark Foley and Sean Foley were not involved on that fateful first Sunday in September two years ago, when Offaly frustrated Limerick's dream with a blistering unforgettable finish.
