User:rorynoonanDate:04/07/2013Time:08:41:43Edition:04/07/2013Thuthurecho040713Page:56Color:
Evening Echo
SPORT
EE - V1
MMA: Royce Gracie
comes to Cork seminar: P36-37
Soccer: Craig is Burn-ing to start for Cobh: P46
Donaghy axed by the Kingdom FOOTBALL
By ÉAMONN MURPHY NEW KERRY manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice has ruthlessly axed Kieran Donaghy for the Munster final against Cork on Sunday. Fitzmaurice promised in the build-up to the clash in Killarney, 2pm, that he would select his first 15 on the basis of training ground form and Darran O’Sullivan has earned a recall, having been on the bench against Tipp and Waterford. It’s the first time since 2009 that Donaghy won’t start against the Rebels, as that season he was reduced to the role of impact sub in the All-Ireland final because of injury, having missed the draw and defeat in the Munster series. Kerry named their side earlier than expected yesterday, with Darran O’Sullivan named at corner-forward as Declan O’Sullivan moves to number 14. The reality is Donaghy hasn’t been particularly effective against Cork in recent meetings, and — along with Paul Galvin — was withdrawn in the closing stages of last year’s 0-12 to 0-7 loss in the Páirc. Eoin Cadogan, on his return from injury, found the physicality of Clare’s Gary Brennan a challenge in the Munster semi-final at Ennis, but was well on top 12 months ago. That, along with Darran O’Sullivan’s sizzling pace which led to a stunning goal in Kerry’s 2011 victory in Killarney, no doubt had a bearing on Fitzmaurice’s decision. There are two other changes. Aidan O’Mahony, who suffered a dislocated elbow in training last week, is replaced by CIT student Mark Griffin, who makes his championship
Kerry opt for Darran O’Sullivan’s pace as CIT’s Griffin makes debut
rule out parity in the big battle: P52
Slocum says Ciarán can be match winner
TWO-TIME All-Ireland SFC winner Mick Slocum believes Ciarán Sheehan EHORZ could be a potential match-winner for Cork in the Munster final on Sunday against Kerry in Fitzgerald Stadium. The St Finbarr’s clubman that soldiered alongside Conor Counihan in the half-back line when Cork won the All-Ireland titles of 1989 and ’90 holds Sheehan in the highest regard and expects a huge contribution from the Éire Óg attacker in Killarney. Slocum put Sheehan forward as a possible match-winner if Cork are to retain the provincial title. “I think Ciarán Sheehan, who was outstanding against Donegal last year, a lad with a great attitude, a super player, could have a major impact if Cork are to win. He is an outstanding talent. “I worked with John O’Rourke and Brian Hurley at minor level too and though it is a massive occasion for them they are another two that have the ability to shine on Sunday,” the 1990 All-Star opined. Slocum also agrees with the theory Cork should be more offensive-minded. “I would agree with that
FOOTBALL
By PETER McNAMARA thought-process, yes,” Slocum said. “It’s not for me to comment on the style of Conor’s (Counihan) obviously but certainly, when you slow the game down in your back line in modern day football you are basically giving the opposition time to get behind the ball. “We have forwards that can kill teams when they get the ball into space early and that is the key to it. “Donegal seem to have it down to a tee whereby they draw everybody back and suck the opposition forwards back and when they get the ball then they break at ferocious pace but Cork should just give their forwards more direct possessions. “Another interesting element is how we will cope with Colm Cooper at 11 rather than in the inside line but I would be hopeful we could contain him even without playing defensively. “A lot of the Kerry lads have plenty of mileage on the clock at this stage and I would be fairly hopeful Cork can win with Sheehan possibly driving the show on,” he added.
Kerry’s Kieran Donaghy during squad training on Monday ahead of their Munster Senior Football Championship final against Cork on Sunday. However, Donaghy was surprisingly omitted from Eamonn Picture: SPORTSFILE Fitzmaurice’s starting 15. debut at full-back. Griffin was man of the match when Kerry beat Cork in the league game at Tralee in March.
Alongside him, Shane Enright of Tarbert takes over from Fionn Fitzgerald after recovering from injury.
KERRY: B Kealy; M Ó Sé, M Griffin, S Enright; T Ó Sé, K Young, P Crowley; A Maher, J Buckley; P Galvin, C Cooper, D Walsh; Darran O’Sullivan, Declan O’Sullivan, J O’Donoghue. ● See 52-53 for more.
Desmond takes bronze with brave effort
CORK boxer Christine Desmond had to settle for bronze at the EU Women’s Senior, Youth and Junior Championships in Keszthely, Hungary yesterday. Fighting in the Youth class, the Macroom BC welterweight lost out to Germany’s Carlata Hansen over four, two minute rounds amid the
Paudie Palmer: Don’t
heat and humidity of the Helikon Hotel venue. Desmond, a five-time Irish champion, began this fight well, but the experienced Hansen was always going to be a tough prospect for the Cork teenager. “Christine gave it everything and you couldn’t have asked for anymore. The conditions in the
BOXING
By BERNARD O’NEILL venue are very warm and there is no air conditioning, said Katie Taylor’s coach and dad Pete Taylor, who is with the Quick Park sponsored Irish squad in Hungary. “Christine had a very tough fight on Tuesday,
very energy sapping. She performed very well in that win but unfortunately things didn’t go her way today against a strong German opponent. Katie Taylor, the defending EU lightweight champion, blasted here way into the last-four with an inside the distance win over Hungary’s Benke Sara
yesterday. The Magyar lightweight took two standing counts and the fight was stopped in the fourth as Taylor moved to within two wins of her fifth successive EU title. Desmond is part of a 26-strong Quick Park sponsored Irish squad in Hungary. The finals will be held on Saturday.
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