Thurles to host double treat

THURLES WILL as expected host a double-bill of hurling qualifiers on Saturday

THURLES WILL as expected host a double-bill of hurling qualifiers on Saturday. The CCCC confirmed yesterday that Offaly v Waterford, starting at 5pm, and Cork v Galway, at 7pm, will take place in Semple Stadium.

Meanwhile, Tipperary full back Paul Curran will meet with team physiotherapist John Casey today to assess the damage to his damaged left shoulder, sustained in last Sunday's Munster senior hurling final.

The Mullinahone man does not believe however that the injury is too serious and he could even be fit for next Sunday's senior club championship clash with local rivals Ballingarry.

Curran spoke with county team-mates Conor O'Mahony and Hugh Maloney, two players who have suffered more serious shoulder injuries this year, on Sunday evening and his mind has been put at ease.

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The 26-year-old was taken off five minutes before half-time after taking a heavy shoulder.

Curran recalled: "I tried to catch a ball after that and dropped it. I didn't have full movement in my shoulder which was a hindrance. I couldn't risk staying on."

The Tipperary under-21 side for Thursday's Munster hurling semi-final against Limerick includes Séamus Callinan, who starred in Sunday's senior provincial title win over Clare. Also selected are senior panellists Thomas Stapleton and Pa Bourke.

Meanwhile, there was worrying news for Ireland international rules manager Seán Boylan when it emerged at the weekend that Tadhg Kennelly had dislocated his left shoulder for the second time this season.

Despite the painful injury however, Kennelly did not even leave the field as the Sydney Swans lost to Hawthorn in the AFL over the weekend.

The Listowel native is likely to undergo surgery at the end of the season given that he has been battling shoulder problems for since 2006, placing his participation in the international rules series in doubt.

Kennelly suffered the injury in the third quarter and had the shoulder realigned on the pitch during a break in the play before seeing out the game.

"There's quite a few players it happens to," Swans coach Paul Roos said after the match. "Functionally it's fine, it just pops out and pops back in, and there's been players who play with those sorts of things."

Roos said he thought Kennelly would have the operation post-season at the latest.

"He seemed okay after the game and he seemed okay when he went back on the ground and things like that."

TIPPERARY (Under-21 H v Limerick):M Ryan; K Maher, P Maher, B Maher; K Lanigan, T Stapleton, J McLoughney; G Ryan, S Hennessy; T McGrath, S Callinan, P Maher; P Bourke, M O'Meara, S Bourke.

Christy Ring Cup quarter-finals draw:Wicklow v Mayo, Down v Derry, Kerry v Carlow, Kildare v Westmeath.

Nicky Rackard Cup quarter-finals draw:Fingal v Leitrim, Non Ards v Louth, Monaghan v Cavan, Sligo v Tyrone.

Christy Ring Cup relegation play-off:Armagh v London, Roscommon v Meath.