Holders Munster have suffered a setback before tomorrow's Railway Cup semi-final against Connacht in Castlebar. Seamus Moynihan of Kerry, arguably the best player in the province, has had to withdraw because of a back injury.
"This is a big loss for us," said Munster selector Seamus McCarthy. "The extraordinary thing about Seamus is his enthusiasm for every game he plays. He is so focused on what he does. At one stage last year we played him at full back to mark Peter Canavan in the semi-final and he played very well."
Moynihan's absence contributes to a massive turnover of players since the province won its first Railway Cup in 17 years last spring. Of that team, 11 will be missing this weekend, mostly because of injury but also because of retirement, absence overseas and fluctuations in form.
No decision has been made on Moynihan's replacement, but Ciaran O'Sullivan would be an obvious candidate were it not for his lack of match practice since returning from the Ireland tour to Australia. Also out of consideration are Kerry's Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Clare goalkeeper James Hanrahan. Into the panel come Tipperary's Philly Ryan and Conor O'Dwyer.
Opponents Connacht report no late injury concerns, although last year's captain, Sean de Paor, is not available as he has been spending some time in Australia since the International Rules tour of last October. The match is a re-run of last year's final, which Connacht lost narrowly.
"We had the chances to win it but didn't take them," according to manager Seamus Hayden. We had missed a lot of goal opportunities, one-on-one with the 'keeper, and a penalty. Declan O'Keeffe (Munster goalkeeper) had a very good game and we didn't put away the chances."
In the other semi-final, between Ulster and Leinster in Casement Park, Ulster report no worries but Leinster have a question mark over debutant Paul Barden from Longford, who will struggle to make the starting lineup. Barden has impressed in his county's run to the O'Byrne Cup final with his pace and penetration at centre forward.
Unfortunately for the player, who had been selected at wing forward, he suffered ligament damage in a colleges' match during the week. Although on crutches, he is expected to travel to Belfast and Leinster manager Matt Kerrigan is going to decide on his fitness as late as possible.
All-Ireland champions Meath returned from holidays only last Tuesday. "I contacted them before the get-together on Wednesday night," said Kerrigan, "and they were all happy to be involved at that stage. I haven't heard anything to the contrary since. We had a practice match without them last weekend, but the Longford and Westmeath players weren't available either because of the O'Byrne Cup." In all, Leinster are giving debuts to half the team. But the seven players involved are all very accomplished: Brian Lacey, Paddy Christie, Paddy Reynolds, Dermot Earley, Barden, Dessie Dolan and Ollie Murphy.
Ulster's only difficulty surrounded Derry wing back Paul McFlynn, but his county under-21 final - deferred from last year - has been postponed so as to avoid a clash with tomorrow's match.
Sigerson Cup commitments have, however, ruled out a number of players who manager Brian McEniff says would have featured.
"Queen's had a match during the week and another one coming up next week. Otherwise Enda McNulty, Cormac McAnallen and Diarmuid Marsden would have been in the frame," said McEniff.
