Hickey gets chance for Tipp U-21s
Darragh Hickey's impressive performance in the Munster final has earned him a starting place in the Tipperary side for tomorrow's Erin All-Ireland Under-21 hurling semi-final against Antrim (Parnell Park, throw-in 6.30pm).
Hickey came on in the recent Munster decider against Cork, cracking home a second half goal to confirm the 3-11 to 0-13 win. The Boherlahan-Dualla clubman will line out at left half-forward against the Saffrons.
The Tipp management have made two changes to the team that started against Cork with Hickey stepping in for David Sheppard and an injury to Jim Bob McCarthy seeing Carrick's Kevin Lanigan promoted to right half-back.
Team captain David Young will fill in for McCarthy at centre-back.
The Premier county youngsters are heavily favoured to progress to the final as Antrim have not played since beating Down 2-15 to 3-11 for the Ulster title on July 26.
Much of Tipp's attacking focus will fall again on the broad shoulders of senior panellist Darragh Egan, who scored 1-4 against Cork and 1-5 in the Munster semi-final victory over Clare.
Tomorrow's winners will face either Kilkenny or Galway in the All-Ireland final on September 10.
TIPPERARY (U-21HC v Antrim) - G Kennedy; P Stapleton, A Burns, C O'Brien; K Lanigan, D Young (capt), S Horan; J Woodlock, S Lillis; R O'Dwyer, N Teehan, D Hickey; R Ruth, D Egan, R McLoughney.
Substitutes: M Ryan, D Sheppard, S Murphy, K Quinlan, D O'Hanlon, J Dixon, P Austin, I Murphy, M Coleman.
