The Kilkenny hurling selectors, under manager Kevin Fennelly, have postponed the naming of their team for Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford until tonight, although the composition of the team is largely predictable given that the players have reported a clean bill of health.
There has been some doubt about the fitness of centre forward Johnny Dooley, but it is understood that his name has been pencilled in for the centre forward spot in the continued absence of Michael Phelan, whose litany of injuries would test the patience of Job.
As things stand at present it appears that Kilkenny will field the same 15 as they did in the Leinster final against Offaly last month. Local sources are speculating, however, that there may be a tactical switch involving D J Carey and Niall Moloney. In the Leinster final Carey started out at full forward with Moloney in the left half forward position but, it is now believed that Carey might enjoy more freedom on the wing and that he will be selected there for Sunday's encounter. The Croke Park authorities are expecting a crowd of between 45,000 and 50,000. Interest in Waterford is said to be intense and Kilkenny supporters are also expected to travel in big numbers for the first championship match between the neighbouring counties since Kilkenny beat Waterford 4-17 to 6-8 in the All-Ireland final of 1963.
Meanwhile, suggestions that Croke Park might agree to issue a dual ticket for the two matches on the weekend after next have been dismissed. Clare and Offaly will meet in the replay of their All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday week while Derry and Galway will meet in the football semi-final the following day. Hopes that Croke Park might issue a ticket at a reduced price to supporters wishing to see both matches would not be practical according to a Croke Park spokesman. It was pointed out that tickets are issued through county boards and clubs and that the logistics of the situation would rule out the issuing of a ticket to cover both matches. There has been considerable criticism from the public about the price of stand tickets for All-Ireland semi-finals. They now cost £18 and anyone wishing to see both the hurling replay and the football final will face into an expensive weekend.
Kilkenny (Probable SH team v Waterford): J Dermody; T Hickey, P O'Neill, W O'Connor; M Kavanagh, C Brennan, L Keoghan; P Larkin, P Barry; B McEvoy, J Dooley, D J Carey; P J Delaney, N Moloney, C Carter. Subs: J McGarry, A Comerford, J Costello, K O'Shea, J Hoyne,P Brophy, S Ryan, D Byrne, L Simpson.
Football followers will be interested to note that preparation for the resumption of the composite rules series against Australia next year will begin at the weekend when squads from Ulster and Connacht will start their training schedule in Breffni Park in Cavan.
The former Meath player Colm O'Rourke and the Sligo manager Mickey Moran from Derry will take charge of the exercise which has been called for 11.0 on Saturday morning. The Connacht panel of 28 will have eight from Roscommon, two from Leitrim, five from Mayo, five from Sligo and eight from Galway, while the Ulster squad will consist of two from Antrim, three from Cavan, two from Monaghan, three from Down, four from Armagh, three from Donegal, five from Tyrone, four from Fermanagh and five from Derry. The tour of the Irish squad to Australia is timed for October next year and a series of familiarisation sessions with the rules and training will be organised on a regular basis between now and then. Munster and Leinster squads will be named later but, it is understood that names may be added or deleted before the final squad is selected.
Connacht (Compromise Rules v Ulster): Roscommon - D Thompson, D Donlon, M Ryan, T Ryan, N Dinneen, E Lohan, F O'Donnell, C McDonald; Leitrim - S Quinn, A Cullen; Mayo - K Mortimer, J Nallen, C McMenamon, D Heaney, N Connolly; Sligo - M Cosgrove, E O'Hara, P Taylor, N Clancy, R Keane; Galway - S Og de Paor, M Donnellan, J Fallon, P Joyce, K Walsh, D Savage, J Divilly, T Mannion. Ulster (Compromise Rules v Connacht): An- trim - C O'Neill, M Mulholland; Cavan -D McCabe, P Shields, T Farrelly; Monaghan - M Daly, P Duffy; Down - M Linden, M Magill, G McCartan; Armagh - T McEntee, D Marsden, K McGeeney, J Burns; Donegal - B McGowan, B Devenny, T Boyle; Tyrone - F McConnell, P Canavan, O Gormley, B Dooher, G Cavlin; Fermanagh - P Brewster, R Gallagher, P McGuinness, R Gallagher; Derry - S Lockhart, H Downey, A Tohill, J Brolly, G Coleman.
