McGrath named in Deise team
Waterford manager Justin McCarthy has named Ken McGrath in his side for Sunday's Munster SHC semi-final against Tipperary, despite doubts surrounding the 2004 All-Star's fitness (Páirc Uí Chaoímh, throw-in 2.00pm).
McGrath sustained a thumb injury whilst playing for his club Mount Sion at the start of last month. The fracture was expected to keep him out for six weeks but the talented defender looks set to make a quick return to the fray.
McGrath is listed at centre back for the counties' 38th championship clash - the Deise are bidding for their first ever three-in-a-row over Tipp in the Munster championship, having won the last two tussles in 2002 and 2004.
Waterford's full-back line contains a championship debutant with Denis Coffey of St. Mary's (Touraneena), who is profiting from a consistent National League run, in the right corner.
1998 All-Star Tony Browne - recovered from the injury he sustained in last weekend's challenge match against Wexford - will start in the left corner with Ballyduff Upper's Tom Feeney at full-back.
Under-21 panellist Gearoid O'Connor replaces the injured John Mullane (broken arm) at left half-forward for his own championship debut.
Suspension rules out Eoin Kelly who is replaced by his Mount Sion club mate Eoin McGrath at right corner forward. 2002 All-Star Kelly earned a three-month suspension for a sending off against Offaly during the League.
The team contains 11 players who started in last year's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final defeat to Cork. The retired Fergal Hartley, defender James Murray, Mullane and Kelly are the absentees.
WATERFORD (SHC v Tipperary) - Clinton Hennessy; Denis Coffey, Tom Feeney, Tony Browne; Brian Phelan, Ken McGrath, Eoin Murphy; Michael Walsh, Dave Bennett; Dan Shanahan, Jack Kennedy, Gearoid O'Connor; Eoin McGrath, Seamus Prendergast, Paul Flynn (capt).
