Thurles favoured for classic clash

Thurles has emerged as the favoured venue for the All-Ireland club hurling semi-final between Athenry of Galway and St Joseph's Doora-Barefield of Clare. The match is fixed for February 28th and is even now being talked about in hurling circles as a potential classic. It appears that neither club was anxious to toss for a home and away arrangement and Limerick, Birr and Thurles were all suggested. It is believed that negotiations between the two clubs took place and that Thurles has been agreed if the Tipperary county board is willing to make the ground available. It is also understood that both clubs have been in touch with the Games Administration Committee in Croke Park, the body which is in charge of the fixture.

Apart from the interest being created in the tie in the two counties involved, it is believed that neighbouring county supporters such as Limerick, Offaly and Tipperary are excited by the prospect of the clash and, in such an event, Thurles would make most sense with a huge crowd expected.

Several of the top hurlers in the country will be involved in the match. Doora-Barefield will be calling on three of the Clare county stars Ollie Baker, Sean McMahon and Jamsie O'Connor while Galway will have four county stalwarts. They will have the club captain Joe Rabbitte, the county captain Brian Feeney, Brendan Keogh and one of the most exciting young hurlers in the country, Eugene Cloonan.

Athenry will also be looking to the towering Brian Hanley for an inspirational display. He is 6ft 4ins with a physique to match and he and Brendan Keogh are expected to figure at midfield where Ollie Baker is likely to play for Doora-Barefield.

Athenry last won the All-Ireland title in 1997 while Clare will be attempting to take the second title back to the county. They won the title through Sixmilebridge but their representatives Clarecastle and Wolfe Tones were beaten in successive finals.

Thurles is familiar to both teams who have played there previously and in winter conditions it is regarded as a better pitch than either Limerick or Birr.

There are seven candidates for the position of Cavan senior football team manager. The names were announced at a County board meeting in Crosskeys last night. The nominees are Val Andrews (Ballymun Kickhams), Stephen King (Killeshandra), Terry Hyland (Lacken), Derek McDonnell(Ramor United), Matt Kerrigan (Summerhill), Colm Coyle (Seneschalstown), and Peter O'Neill(St Anne's Dublin).

The candidates will be interviewed by a five-man committee which includes three officers of the County Board, Chairman Brendan Keaney, secretary Tom Boylan, along with Oliver Tierney (Bailieboro Shamrocks) and Pat Smith(Laragh United). It is intended that this committee will come back to a full meeting of the County board in the next seven to 10 days.

The All-Ireland final referees, Dickie Murphy of Wexford (hurling) and John Bannon from Longford (football), were the recipients of Eircell monthly awards at the Keadeen Hotel in Kildare yesterday. Also honoured as Handballer of the Year was Walter O'Connor from Meath. The trophies were presented by the GAA president, Joe McDonagh.