Students bid for McGrath Cup win
Defending champions Limerick host college side Cork IT in the McGrath Cup final at the Gaelic Grounds today.
Limerick had an easy run to the final, defeating Cork in the opening round and following that victory with a facile win over Tralee IT (3-11 to 0-8) in last Sunday's semi-final.
Manager Liam Kearns has had to work off a depleted squad as injuries to key players Jason Stokes, Stephen Lucey and John Galvin have meant he has had to field new faces such as Sean Kiely, Jim Donovan, Pat Fitzgerald and Sean Buckley.
However, the return of veteran John Quane to the Limerick set-up has boosted the Shannonsiders, and offset the departure of flying wing-forward Stephen Kelly, who withdrew his services a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, the Cork students marked their first year in the competition with some impressive displays.
They defeated UCC in the opening round, courtesy of a brace of Paul O'Flynn goals, and quickly brought Tipperary down to earth in the semi-final after the Premier County had knocked out All-Ireland champions Kerry the previous week.
Dr McKenna Cup
All-Ireland semi-finalists Fermanagh and Derry faceoff in the Dr McKenna Cup semi-final today in Omagh, with a final berth against Tyrone at stake.
Derry manager Mickey Moran could have the edge on the Erneside rivals - who only returned from a squad holiday in Lanzarote last Thursday.
Marty McGrath and Barry Owens were also on All Star duty in Hong Kong and did not return until last
Wednesday.
But swelled crowds are expected as cousins Raymond and Rory Gallagher are set to make their return to the Fermanagh side for today's clash at Healy Park, Omagh.
Fermanagh have scored 5-23 in their last two games, and it remains to be seen how their time abroad has affected their form.
Derry, fresh from their victory over Queen's last weekend - finally concluding the postponed fixture -
will have a large squad to work off for today's game, but there are doubts surrounding Niall McCusker and Paul McFlynn.
Patsy Bradley, Paul McFlynn and Sean Martin Lockhart are all expected to return, while manager Mickey Moran will stick with some of his younger charges who impressed in seeing off the students.
Paddy and Paul Bradley, who contributed 11 points between them last weekend, are also set to take their places.
Tyrone await the winners of the semi-final in the decider in the coming weeks.
