Other Gaelic Games stories in brief
LIMERICK:Limerick manager Richie Bennis is facing a defensive injury crisis ahead of Sunday's National Hurling League clash against Clare at the Gaelic Grounds.
Mark O'Riordan (fractured finger), Damien Reale (shin splints) and Séamus Hickey (dead leg) are all struggling. Attackers Brian Begley and All Stars Ollie Moran and Andrew O'Shaughnessy (broken toe) are also doubtful.
Begley came on for 10 minutes against Cork in a challenge game last week but there are serious concerns about his ongoing knee problems.
Bennis will assess Moran's fitness this evening but O'Shaughnessy only lined out in last Friday's Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final for GMIT against LIT after a painkilling injection.
TIPPERARY:Paul Ormond or Micheál Webster will captain the Tipperary hurlers this year after manager Liam Sheedy drafted the Loughmore-Castleiney pair into his panel.
County champions Loughmore-Castleiney have the right to nominate the Tipperary captain and the matter could be decided as early as tonight at a scheduled club meeting.
Tipperary could be without defenders Declan Fanning (broken finger) and Eamonn Corcoran (broken bone in his thumb), and forward Lar Corbett (hamstring), for Sunday's league showdown with Galway.
GALWAY:Portumna captain Ollie Canning has criticised GAA bosses, particularly president Nickey Brennan, over their refusal to allow the teams participating in the All-Ireland hurling and football club finals on St Patrick's Day to train in Croke Park in the days leading up to the decider.
