CATHAL MCINERNEY HAS been drafted into the Clare team for tomorrow ‘s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling semi-final against Antrim in Semple Stadium in the only change from the side that triumphed against Tipperary in the Munster final.
McInerney, who set up Niall Arthur for the match-winning goal in that provincial decider, comes in at left corner-forward for David O’Halloran and joins Cratloe clubmates Conor Ryan, Padraic Collins and Conor McGrath in the side.
CLARE U21H: Ronan Taaffe (Tubber); Paul Flanagan (Ballyea), David McInerney (Tulla), Killian Ryan (Ruan); Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge), Conor Ryan (Cratloe), Patrick O’Connor (Tubber); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge); Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Padraic Collins (Cratloe), Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones); Cathal O’Connell (Clonlara), Conor McGrath (Cratloe), Cathal McInerney (Cratloe).
Opponents Antrim have made five changes for the game from the side that defeated Derry in the Ulster final. Ronan McCloskey is named at right corner-back, Conal Morgan at left corner-back, Seamus Dobbin comes in at centre-forward while Nigel Elliot and Daniel McCloskey will fill the corner-forward positions. Christopher Murray, Fergus Donnelly, James McShane, Stephen Smith and Conor Laverty are the players to lose out.
ANTRIM U21H: James O’Mullan (Rasharkin); Ronan McCloskey (Loughiel Shamrocks), Ronan Gillan (Loughiel Shamrocks), Conal Morgan (St John’s); James Black (Carey Faughs), Matthew Donnelly (Ballycastle McQuillan’s), James McCouaig (Carey Faughs); Aidan McKeown (Creggan), Stephen McAfee (Ballycastle McQuillan’s); Michael Devlin (St Brigid’s), Seamus Dobbin (Loughiel Shamrocks), Kevin McKiernan (Padraig Sairseil); Nigel Elliot (Dunloy), Conor McCann (Creggan), Daniel McCloskey (Loughiel Shamrocks).
Galway have named 12 members of the 26-man senior panel that defeated Cork in the recent All-Ireland semi-final for their U21 semi-final clash with Kilkenny tomorrow evening. Wing-back Johnny Coen, centre-forward Niall Burke, wing-forward James Regan and corner-forward Conor Cooney all started for the senior side in that game while wing-back Joseph Cooney, full-forward Jonathan Glynn and corner-forward Davy Glennon were all introduced during that clash. Daithi Burke, Jason Grealish and Richie Cummins are the only three players in the U21 team who were not part of the senior squad for that victory a fortnight ago.
GALWAY U21H: Fergal Flannery (Padraig Pearses); Brian Flaherty (Abbeyknockmoy), Daithi Burke (Turloughmore), Jason Grealish (Gort); Johnny Coen (Loughrea), Darragh Burke (St Thomas), Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields); Padraig Brehony (Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry), Tadhg Haran (Liam Mellowes); Richie Cummins (Gort), Niall Burke (Oranmore-Maree), James Regan (St Thomas); Conor Cooney (St Thomas), Jonathan Glynn (Ardrahan), Davy Glennon (Mullagh).
Galway’s opponents in tomorrow’s clash Kilkenny have named an unchanged side from that which defeated Laois in the Leinster final. Full-back Willie Phelan, centre-back Richie Doyle, wing-forward Cillian Buckley and corner-forward Walter Walsh were all part of the Cats senior panel that defeated Tipperary in last week’s All-Ireland semi-final.
KILKENNY U21H: Dylan Walsh (Thomastown); Jason Corcoran (John Lockes), Willie Phelan (Dunamaggin), Brian Kennedy (St Lachtain’s); Luke Harney (Kilmacow), Richie Doyle (Barrow Rangers), Joe Lyng (Rower Inistioge); Geoff Brennan (St Patrick’s), Ollie Walsh (Dicksboro); Kevin Kelly (St Patrick’s), Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan), Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro); Walter Walsh (Tullogher-Rosbercon), John Power (Carrickshock), Ger Aylward (Glenmore).
