LIMERICK: Joe McKenna has dropped five players who figured in Limerick's 2000-'02 under-21 All-Ireland winning teams from his panel to go into special training for the National League.
Out of favour are the Tobin brothers, Pat and Kevin, Michael Clifford, Michael Cahill and Donncha Sheehan, who captained the 2001 All-Ireland winning team. Alan O'Connor, Kieran O'Dwyer and goalkeeper John Fitzgerald have also been left out.
Another former under-21 star, Mark Keane, is back in favour after an 18 months absence. Willie Walsh, winner of two All-Ireland 21 titles, is also restored having recovered from injury.
TIPPERARY: Tipperary football board chairman Pete Savage has called for the playing of the All-Ireland senior hurling and football finals in August to facilitate the club championships.
Speaking at the board's convention in Thurles, Savage said the GAA will not survive if the hierarchy continues to squeeze out the club scene. "We cannot continue with a trend where intercounty games are taking up so much time. The provincial championships are too spread out. Clubs do not know when county players are available."
GALWAY: The young hurler of the year, Galway's David Collins, has had to give up a trip with the All Stars to Singapore because he will be doing examinations. Collins, a relevation in Galway's march to the All-Ireland senior final and one of the key members of the victorious under-21 team which defeated Kilkenny in the final, was invited as a replacement on the All Stars trip.
