Galway trio in line for top award

by Brendan Larkin
THREE members of the Galway All-Ireland winning football team have been shortlisted for the prestigious GAA Writers' Footballer of the Year award.
All three, Michael Donnellan, Martin McNamara and Jarlath Fallon, played major roles in Galway's victory over Kildare. For the first time ever, one player Michael Donnellan, is in line to win The Young Footballer of the Year award also.
In the hurling awards, All-Ireland champions Offaly dominate with three nominees in the two categories. They are the Whelehan brothers Brian and Simon, and Stephen Byrne.
In previous years, no goalkeeper has ever been nominated, but this year there are three, Stephen Byrne, Brendan Landers (Waterford) and Galway's Martin McNamara.
An innovation in this year's awards is the special Hall of Fame, and that goes to former Galway stalwart of the 1950s and '60s, Mattie McDonagh. The hurling Hall of Fame award goes to Wexford's Billy Rackard.
The awards will be presented at a lunch in the Guinness Reception Centre in Dublin on Friday, November 20 .
Over 80 journalists nationwide participated in the poll to choose the winners.
The players shortlisted for the awards are:
Player of the Year (football): Michael Donnellan, Jarlath Fallon, Martin McNamara (all Galway)
Player of the Year (hurling); Tony Browne (Waterford), Sean McMahon (Clare), Brian Whelehan (Offaly).
Young Player of the Year (Football: Michael Donnellan (Galway), Dermot Earley (Kildare), Padraig Joyce (Galway).
Young Player of the Year (hurling): Stephen Byrne (Offaly), Brendan Landers (Waterford), Simon Whelehan (Offaly).

Marathon game still unable to separate sides

Ogonnelloe 2-10
Wolfe Tones 1-13
(after extra time)
by Jim O'Sullivan
FITTINGLY, there were no losers after this marathon quarter-final refixture in the Clare senior hurling championship at Cusack Park yesterday.
The drawn game in Tulla the previous week-end produced its own share of excitement and controversy and this was even more dramatic for a variety of different reasons.
More than anything else, however, it was memorable for the passionate endeavour of the two teams and the quality of play.Initially, it was noteworthy for the reason that the Ennis pitch had been ruled unplayable by County Board officers early in the morning, and confirmed by the Wolfe Tones management. But, following a late inspection of the Ruane pitch by both sides, Cusack Park was announced as the venue an hour before the scheduled start.
Conditions, surprisingly good, didn't stifle admirable skill levels and the result was a terrific contest in which unfashionable Ogonnelloe played a major part.Unlike the first game, when they never led until eight minutes into injury time, Wolfe Tones made the early running, twice going in front until Michael Sheedy gave Ogonnelloe the lead in the 22nd minute. Around this time, Brian Lohan was totally dominant at full-back for Wolfe Tones, but, they had lost an early advantage at midfield and Ogonnelloe were being well served in defence by stylish right half-back Colm Forde and Ronan Sheedy (on the other flank), among others.
A typically inspirational clearance from Lohan led to Declan O'Rourke goaling for the Shannon side in the 25th minute. And, with their opponents finding it difficult to penetrate, despite the promptings of Michael Sheedy and the best efforts of David Forde in the right corner, they were to stay in front. It was 1-4 to 0-4 at the break, but it could have been different had not Wolfe Tones 'keeper Ray Carley saved Eoin Sheedy's kicked effort.
Carley again impressed with a 38th minute save from Michael Sheedy, but couldn't stop Eoin Sheedy from goaling immediately afterwards. Wolfe Tones struggled after Pat O'Rourke had missed two scorable frees and Declan O'Rourke wasted a good goal opportunity in the 42nd minute. Later, after Pascal Sheedy settled to make a major contribution to an outstanding half-back line, and John McMahon dominated in a powerful full-back line, Ogonnelloe looked in a strong position.
Frank Lohan, at last beginning to establish himself in defence, hit a levelling point for Wolfe Tones in the 51st minute after Ogonnelloe missed a few opportunities of opening up a gap. Because of the slippery conditions and the competitive nature of the game, mistakes were made on both sides, but Michael Sheedy did well to put Oggonnelloe in front after winning a ball against Brian Lohan.
Then, shortly after Lohan went to centre-forward, substitute Garrett McPhillips scored the levelling point for Wolfe Tones a half-minute from the end of normal time.Controversially, referee Sean Hehir denied Lohan what was clearly an obvious free and, to add insult to injury, penalised him for over-carrying. Before the final whistle sounded, two and three-quarters minute into injury time, each side missed a chance of settling the issue. It was 1-7 each.Extra time only got under way after Wolfe Tones agreed to play under protest, and they led 1-9 to 1-8 at the end of the first period and gained the boost of a quick score from Paul Keary immediately after the resumption.
However, Ogonnelloe's fighting spirit was rewarded when Michael Sheedy's sideline ball went all the way to the net and, with five minutes remaining, they enjoyed a two-point lead. But, Wolfe Tones - with Sean Power and Finbarr Carrig prominent - were not prepared to yield either and two late pointed frees from Pat O'Rourke brought them level. Again, each side passed up the opportunity to get a winning score.

The Brian Lohan foul apart, Sean Hehir made approximately half a dozen mistakes, but still managed a lot of good refereeing.
Scorers: Ogonnelloe - M. Sheedy 1-3 (0-1 free); L. Sheedy 1-0; D. Forde 0-3 (0-1 free); J. McKenna 0-3 (0-2 seventies); E. Sheedy 0-1.
Wolfe Tones: Pat O'Rourke 0-4 (0-3 frees); D. O'Rourke 1-0; F. Carrig and P. Keary 0-3 each; Paul O'Rourke, G. McPhillips and F. Lohan 0-1 each.
OGONNELLOE: T. McKenna; J. McMahon, C. Kelly (capt.), B. Forde; C. Forde, P. Sheedy, R. Sheedy; J. McKenna, N. Gavin; P. Barton, R. O'Hagan, M. Sheedy; D. Forde, E. Sheedy, B. Gibbons. Subs: L. Sheedy for Barton (second half); H. Mooney for Gibbons (85th minute).
WOLFE TONES: R. Carley; M. Hartigan, B. Lohan, E. Mulvihill; F. Lohan, S. Power, P. Meaney; Pat O'Rourke, P. Keary; Paul O'Rourke, J. McPhillips, D. Considine; D. O'Rourke, F. Carrig, B. O'Neill. Subs: J. O'Riordan for Considine (second half); G. McPhillips for O'Neill (50th minute); D. White for D. O'Rourke (65th); M. Lennon for White (72nd).
Referee: S. Hehir.

Just right for the O'Connors

by Jim O'Sullivan
OTHER than players and management on both sides, and St. Joseph's/Doora-Barefield manager Louis Mulqueen, nobody was happier coming away from Cusack Park yesterday than Clare star Jamesie O'Connor and his wife Caroline.
From their point of view, the Ogonnelloe/Wolfe Tones draw was the best possible result - for the reason that St. Joseph's were due to play the winners in the semi-final next Sunday and O'Connor goes off on his honeymoon today.
The couple were married at the week-end but had delayed their honeymoon departure because the semi-final was to have been played yesterday. The decision to re-fix the quarter-final game, after Wolfe
Tones had won in controversial circumstances, changed everything.
Clare County Board, which earlier delayed rounds of both the hurling and football championships until Colin Lynch's suspension had expired, now faces additional difficulties. The hurling final had been fixed for October 8 and the football decider two weeks later. But, after yesterday's draw, the earliest the hurling final can be played is October 15, and there were indications that the football final (Lissycasey against Doonbeg) could be brought forward.
This could cause difficulties for Lissycasey for the reason that Lynch was injured playing for Eire Og yesterday and is doubtful.
The Clare representatives are due to play Mount Sion in the Munster club semi-final on Octo
ber 15. After the game in Cusack Park, Wolfe Tones manager Alan Cunningham was critical of the decision to force the teams to play extra time. "It should never have taken place. We were helping the County Board because they can't run the championship,'' he commented.
"The two teams deserve enormous credit. A draw was the best result. I agree, it would have been a killer for either side to lose.''
The sentiment was echoed by the Ogonnelloe management of Pat Gavin, Fr. Hugh O'Dowd and Gerry Cosgrove. Said Fr. O'Dowd: "for me the spontaneous ovation by the crowd at the end said it all. It was a tremendous game.'' For a parish with a population of a mere 480, they certainly had reason to delight in the outcome".

Lavery to miss Breeders' Cup Juvenile

by Michael Clower
LAVERY, Aidan O'Brien's hope for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, will miss the big two-year-old race in Kentucky on Saturday week.
"I have decided against sending Lavery and it looks as if Second Empire in the Breeders' Cup Mile will be my only runner at the Churchill Downs fixture," said O'Brien yesterday.
"Second Empire is in good form after his third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last month and Mick Kinane will ride. Second Empire will be my first Breeders' Cup runner. I had intended sending Desert King last year but we decided against running him."
Lavery won the Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown in August but managed only fifth in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on his one subsequent start.
Meanwhile Oliver Lehane, owner-breeder of dual Irish St Leger winner Oscar Schindler, died yesterday after an 18-month battle with motor neurone disease. He was 55.
He started his working life in the Munster and Leinster Bank in Ballybunion but made his money running amusement arcades and slot machines in Dublin. He had been retired for many years.
Harry de Bromhead, who bought Oscar Schindler's dam Saraday for him as a yearling at Goffs, was his first trainer and sent out Beaujo to win nine races. The Co Waterford trainer also handled Saraday at two and three but Homer Scott took her over as a four-year-old.
Scott trained most of his jumpers including Mandant, Crawford Says, Glitter Grey and Olan Lad - although the latter was with Oliver's brother Frank when he won the Thyestes Handicap Chase.
Lehane was an ardent golfer and one of his favourite playing partners was Mick O'Toole who said: "Oliver was the best golf teacher anybody could hope to have. It was a great sadness when motor neurone was diagnosed but he soon showed that he was an amazing battler against the odds."
The removal is this evening, arriving at the Catholic Church in Athy at 7.15 pm followed by the funeral mass at noon tomorrow.
Tipperary manager David Wright was last night keeping his fingers crossed that Thursday's big meeting will survive but, if the weather forecast is right, he is going to be disappointed.
"We could not have raced today," said Wright yesterday. "We need 24 hours of drying wind before the course starts to dry out and the forecast was for overnight rain followed by more tomorrow.
"If we get that we will not be able to race and, if it looks that way, we will make an early decision so that everybody knows where they stand."
The meeting has already been postponed since last Saturday and, if it is off again, there is a possibility that the £60,000 John James McManus Memorial Hurdle could be switched to another meeting.
This race features the reappearance of Champion Hurdler Istabraq and Aidan O'Brien is waiting to see what happens before deciding on any possible alternative.
He said yesterday: "I very much hope that Tipperary will be on. If not I will have to speak to JP McManus (Istabraq's owner) about what we do next."
Mick Kinane is to spend a month in Hong Kong where he was for several seasons stable jockey to David Oughton.
The ten-time champion said yesterday: "I will probably ride there from mid-February to mid-March and take in the Hong Kong Derby."
Kinane still has a lot of faith in Stravinsky even though the colt managed only third in the Dewhurst.
He said: "Stravinsky did not quite run up to his best at Newmarket. He wants top of the ground conditions to be able to show all the speed he has."

Displays of back row deserved reward

by Karl Johnston
THE joint sensibilities of the Shannon Three — Eddie Halvey, Anthony Foley and Alan Quinlan — might have been somewhat mollified by Saturday's eleventh hour addition of the last-named to the national rugby panel, which began its three-day training session at the Garda Sports Complex at Westmanstown, Co Dublin yesterday.
The fact that the trio had played Leinster's back row, including Victor Costello and Trevor Brennan (two of the Chosen Ones), off the park at Donnybrook in Friday's Guinness Interprovincial Championship decider, with Quinlan given the man-of-the-match award, apparently persuaded the national team management to think again, even if there was to be no reprieve for Halvey and Foley.
In the event, Quinlan could take no part yesterday. Along with Brennan and Costello (irony of ironies!), Paddy Johns and Malcolm O'Kelly, all of whom are carrying a variety of minor injuries. Quinlan spent most of his time in the Trinity College swimming pool at Santry, under the watchful eye of the IRFU's fitness adviser, Craig White.
Quinlan's elevation boosted Munster's representation in the panel to three, as he joined clubmate Mick Galwey and Peter Clohessy. Which is some sort of consolation, one supposes, for the new Interprovincial champions.
National coach Warren Gatland was hopeful that Quinlan and his injured colleagues will be able to take part in the further sessions planned for this morning and tomorrow morning.
There will be a change of venue for these sessions, which will be staged at The King's Hospital School, hard-by to the panel´s HQ at Finnstown House.
There were two outings yesterday, in the morning and afternoon. Westmanstown was very wet underfoot, but the weather was fine, everybody worked well and Gatland later said he was well pleased with the proceedings.
"I am happy that there was a good spirit and good understanding in evidence in both sessions," said the coach. "Also, I was very pleased with the ease and facility with which the players picked up pretty well where we had left off at the end of last summer's tour to South Africa. Today, the players adapted very quickly to the calls and responded very well to what we were trying to do.
"Yes, I think that there were two really excellent sessions. And I'm looking forward to getting in some more good work during tomorroe and Wednesday," said the coach.
The sole absentee yesterday was Paul Wallace, who damaged a knee playing for Saracens against Wasps last Sunday. The injury is thought not to be serious, and Wallace was expected to join the panel last evening.

Knee injury rules O'Meara out of Cup showdown with Perpignan

by Barry Coughlan
INTERNATIONAL scrum-half Brian O'Meara will not be considered for Munster's crunch European Cup game against Perpignan at Thomond Park on Saturday.
O'Meara hasn't trained for the last three weeks because of a knee injury but Munster have been blessed with the quality and performance of replacement Peter Stringer who, for the moment, has made the position his own.
Munster expect O'Meara to be back in the fray soon and that is certain to pose selectoral problems given Stringer's contribution and the fact that Tom Tierney is back in contention as well.
O'Meara's club colleague Ronan O'Gara is still troubled by a hamstring strain and has been taking a limited part in Munster's match preparations over the last couple of weeks.
Munster coach Declan Kidney was yesterday considering a fitness report on Anthony Horgan who missed Friday's Guinness Interprovincial Championship victory over Leinster after sustaining a shoulder injury against Neath the week before.
Rhys Ellison was also in the wars when he had to receive stitches to a head injury and also damaged a shoulder.
But, despite the absence of Irish squad members Alan Quinlan, Peter Clohessy and Mick Galwey, Kidney was in no mood for panic yesterday. Kidney would obviously have preferred to have the three key forwards present for Munster over the next couple of days on the basis that all the main team work will have to be completed by tomorrow. He has also accepted that national requirements have to be taken fully into account as well.
The Munster squad, minus the Irish trio and any injury victims, will be together until tomorrow evening and will then be allowed home for two nights before meeting up again on the eve of the Perpignan game.
Munster, having dropped a point away to Neath in the last minute, need at least a draw from one of their last two games to ensure they can advance to the quarter-finals.
They may not have to if Neath beat Padova at the Gnoll next week but they obviously can't take any chances and they won't relish the prospect of having to travel to Italy on Sunday week needing a draw or win to get through.
The news from Limerick yesterday is that there could very well be a capacity crowd at Thomond Park this weekend for a match that is not alone the first big game of the season at the venue but one which also marks the 20th anniversary of the famous victory over the All Blacks in 1978.
The then New Zealand captain Graham Mourie has been tempted to Ireland for the occasion and the full Munster squad of that famous October day will also be in attendance.
Kidney yesterday said he expected the team would be finalised tomorrow afternoon.

Shelbourne come from behind for exciting win

Shelbourne 2
Bohemians 1
BRIAN MOONEY became the fifth Bohemians player to be sent off this season as Shelbourne came from behind to earn their first home league win after a rip-roaring Dublin derby at Tolka Park yesterday afternoon.
Former Shelbourne winger, Mooney, was red carded on 72 minutes for striking out at Owen Heary, but Shelbourne had already turned the game around at that stage with a rousing second-half revival.
Bohemians almost had the ideal start but for a timely block by Declan Geoghegan who got his body in the way of a fiercely struck shot from Mooney in only the second minute.
Two minutes later it was Bohemians who had a let off when Stephen Geoghegan headed well wide from a Greg Costello free kick. That miss, however, was nothing compared to one by Tony McCarthy on 16 minutes when he completely mis-kicked in front of goal after Pat Fenlon had picked him out.
Shelbourne were taking too much out of the ball in midfield and were vulnerable to Bohemians counter attacks.
That's precisely what happened on the half hour. The ball was lost in midfield and Tommy Byrne played it forward to Derek Swan whose cross was deflected onto the cross bar by Declan Geoghegan and headed clear by McCarthy.
But there was to be no reprieve for Shelbourne's sloppiness on 37 minutes when Bohs took the lead against the run of play.
Derek McGrath knocked the ball forward to Derek Swan who calmly cut inside Declan Geoghegan to beat Alan Gough with a low left foot shot to record his 100th league goal.
Shelbourne chased the game hard from the restart and Bohemians Eoin Mullen had to head off his goal line after Declan Geoghegan had got in behind from Fenlon's clever kick.
But Geoghegan was guilty of an error at the other end seven minutes later when he was dispossessed by Swan and Gough had to make a brilliant save to push Fergal Harkin's shot out for a corner.
Having taken its time to ignite, this was a real derby now and Bohemians almost increased their lead in a lightning attack two minutes later.
Lawlor got free up the right to cross and McGrath rose only to head against the underside of the cross bar.
It was end-to-end stuff and within a further three minutes Shelbourne were level. Graham Doyle played the ball through to Sheridan whose cross was shot home by Fenlon.
The goal lifted Shelbourne and they stormed into the lead four minutes later.
A superb ball over the top from Morley put Baker away up the right and Bohemian's captain Tony O'Connor took him down inside the area. Baker dusted himself off to send Dempsey the wrong way from the resultant penalty.

SHELBOURNE: Gough; Costello, Campbell, McCarthy, D. Geoghegan; Heary, Fitzgerald, Fenlon, Keddy; S. Geoghegan, Sheridan. Subs: Doyle for Fitzgerald (half time), Baker and Morley for Campbell and S. Geoghegan (both 56 mins).
BOHEMIANS: Dempsey; O'Hanlon, Maher, Mullen, O'Connor; Harkin, McGrath, Byrne, Mooney; Swan, Lawlor.
Referee: P. McKeon (Dublin).

Scariff book semi-final spot in style

Scariff 1-10
E´ire O´g 1-7
THE hurlers of Scariff and E´ire O´g made history yesterday (Mon), when they played a first ever senior hurling championship game at Hennessy Park in Milltown.
The game was cancelled last Saturday when all venues in the hurling area of the county were deemed unplayable due to the atrocious weather conditions prevaling during the previous 24 hours.
The newly-developed Milltown pitch came to the rescue and played host to a quarter-final in which east Clare side Scariff were deserving winners over favourites E´ire O´g who had knocked out title holders Clarecastle after a replay a week earlier.
Playing with the aid of a strong wind in the first half, Scariff ran up a seven-point lead by half-time and ultimately this proved decisive. They were six points to one ahead after 11 minutes, at which stage the Ennis side were dealt a huge blow when star player Colin Lynch was forced to retire because of injury. A short time later they lost corner back Michael Guerin also due to injury.
Clare's Barry Murphy scored the decisive goal 20 minutes into the game after E´ire O´g goalkeeper Noel Considine failed to hold onto possession after blocking a shot from Alf Rogers.
E´ire O´g bounced back early in the second half and centre back Fergus Flynn scored their goal from a penalty nine minutes into the half. Four minutes later the lead was down to two points and now E´ire O´g looked to be in the driving seat.
The final 17 minutes produced just one score which was a Scariff point from freetaker Mark McKenna. It was enough to ensure a place in next week's semi-final against Kilmaley.
Brendan McNamara, Ger Rogers, Darragh Kelly, Mark McKenna, Ger Crotty and the Murphys were prominent for the winners. For E´ire O´g, Tom Corbett, Fergus Flynn, Barry Keating, Stephen McNamara and Francis Corey did best.

Scorers for Scariff: M. McKenna 0-5, B. Murphy 1-1, B. McNamara 0-2, A. Rogers 0-2.(
Eire Og: C. Egan 0-5, F. Flynn 1-1, S. McNamara 0-1.(
SCARIFF: B. McNamara, P. McMahon, D. Moloney, P. Collins, M. Moroney, G. Rogers, E. Murphy, D. Kelly, G. Crotty, M. McKenna, D. Murphy, P. Minogue, P. Moroney, B. Murphy, A. Rogers.(
E´IRE O´G : N. Considine, M. Guerin, T. Corbett, F. Corey, R. Cooney, F. Flynn, S. McCarthy, S. McMahon, D. Tobin, C. Egan, C. Lynch, B. Keating, S. McNamara, S. Lyne, B. O'Brien. Subs. C. Shannon for Lynch (inj.) M. Fitzgerald for Guerin.(
Referee: S. McMahon (Newmarket).

English makes good start to managerial career

Tipperary 2-19
Waterford 1-8
by John Murphy
AN encouraging start to his managerial career for Nicky English, but a lot of food for thought for Gerald McCarthy as his seriously understrength side crashed to a heavy defeat against a much sharper and more committed Tipperary in this one-sided Oireachtas Cup game at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, yesterday.
Waterford paraded just five championship regulars, and if the game proved anything it was that the Decies reserve talent is thin on the ground. Gavin Breen, who came on after just six minutes for the injured James O'Connor, did have an excellent game at right full back, but only Michael Molumphy and John Twomey of the others who could be considered to be on trial made any notable impact.
Tipp included eight of their established regulars and displayed a much greater appetite for the fray from the opening whistle. Backed by the strong breeze they dominated the first half exchanges, and it is a measure of Waterford's failure in attack that over the hour they managed just a solitary point from play.
David Kennedy looked a very impressive newcomer at centre back for Tipp, and alongside him John Leahy played as though he has been always a defender.
They also won midfield thanks to the industry of Liam Sheedy, and with Liam Cahill and another exciting debutant, Mark O'Leary, very effective in attack Tipp weren't flattered by their 0-12 to 0-2 half-time lead.
In fact the margin might have been more but for the solid defending of Breen, Tom Feeney, Fergal Hartley and especially Peter Queally.
Both Waterford's points came from Paul Flynn frees, and the sector overall seldom threatened a solid Tipperary rearguard.
The Decies best spell came immediately on the restart. They moved Paul Flynn to full forward, Sean Daly to the '40', and Michael Molumphy to left half and when Flynn pointed two early frees the home crowd got behind the side.
The effort only flattered to deceive however. Cahill got Tipp off the mark in that second half with a great point, and though Michael Molumphy replied with Waterford's lone point from play in the 38th minute a hitherto subdued Brian O'Meara scored a goal and two points in less than three minutes to put Tipp out of sight.
Cahill scored another goal in the 49th minute to widen the gap still further, and Paul Flynn's goal from a 20-metre free in the final minute was only minuscule consolation on a day when his side was outplayed virtually from beginning to end.

Scorers for Tipperary; L. Cahill 1-4, M. O'Leary 0-7, B. O'Meara 1-2, J. Leahy 0-3, E. Enright 0-2, E. Tucker 0-1.
Waterford; P. Flynn 1-7(1-6 frees, 0-1 '65'); M. Molumphy 0-1.
TIPPERARY: B. Cummins; D. Fahy, F. Heaney, C. Bonnar; B. Horgan, D. Kennedy, J. Leahy; L. Sheedy, E. Enright; L. Cahill, E. Tucker, M. O'Leary; A. Ryan, B. O'Meara. D. Browne. Subs; J. Enright for A. Ryan; R. Ryan for Leahy (inj); H. Flannery for Sheedy.
WATERFORD: P. Curran; T. Feeney, J. O'Connor, O. O'Sullivan; E. Burke, F. Hartley, P. Queally; P. Walsh, J. Twomey; P. Flynn, M. Molumphy, K. Walsh; T. Carroll, S. Daly, B. Hannon. Subs; G. Breen for O'Connor; T. Flynn for Burke; N. Jacob for Hannon; C. Fanning for Twomey.
Referee; Willie Horgan, Cork.

Castlelyons want final postponed

by Brendan Larkin
THE decision to postpone the Cork county senior hurling championship final to next Sunday is having a detrimental effect on clubs involved in other grades of championship.
Castlelyons have asked Killeagh, their opponents in the intermediate hurling final on Sunday November 8, for a week's postponement in view of the six players they have on the Imokilly senior team.
Killeagh have two players involved with the divisional side but according to club secretary Liam Murphy, are keen to play the game on the appointed date.
"Our captain Dick Walsh, who is off to Australia as soon as the intermediate final is over, has already postponed his departure because of qualification for the final.
"It's unlikely he will be able to change his flights a second time.
"The likelihood is that we will opt to play the final on November 8," he said.
Meanwhile, the Imokilly selectors are keeping their fingers crossed that Bernard Rochford will be fit to play in next Sunday's county senior final against Blackrock.
Rochford picked up a knee injury following a collision with Jim O'Connor in training on Sunday afternoon, and was unable to train with his club yesterday morning.
"The knee has swelled up a bit, but I'm hopeful it will ease itself out by tomorrow," said Rochford.
The St Michaels intermediate football team are likely to be the real victims of the decision to postpone the senior hurling final.
With the county intermediate football final against St Finbarrs fixed for Saturday November 7 next at Pairc Uí Rinn, and having at least six Blackrock senior hurlers on their team, the football club will to have little time to prepare after next Sunday's hurling decider.
Win or lose Blackrock are due to play the Kerry champions Causeway in the Munster club championship on Sunday, November 8, but there is likely to be an appeal to the Munster Council to seek a deferment of that match.
Meanwhile the week's postponement of the senior hurling final will be of no benefit to Blackrock's Declan O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan broke his thumb against Glen Rovers and has had a pin inserted in the hand. Selector Donie Collins said yesterday that O'Sullivan has no chance of playing in the final.

Collins to pull no punches when he captains polo team at horse show

by Ray Ryan
WORLD boxing champion Steve Collins is set to make a comeback in the Millstreet arena where he first took the super middleweight title from Chris Eubank three years ago.
But this time the quick-talking Dubliner will not be wearing boxing gloves for his return to Green Glens where he also successfully defended his title against Neville Brown in 1996. Instead, he will be on horseback as captain of a team that will take part in an indoor polo display following the Kerrygold World Cup showjumping qualifier.
It will form part of Millstreet Indoor International Horse Show, which starts tomorrow and continues until Sunday.
The highlight of the show will be the celebrated World Cup Qualifier, which was in danger of being lost to Ireland, but was rescued by the Irish Dairy Board.
As owners of the high-profile Kerrygold international food brand, the company agreed to sponsor the qualifier, which will have a £20,000 prize fund and competitors from 10 nations.
Volvo pulled out of sponsoring the series worldwide this year and left a question mark hanging over many of the qualifiers in Europe, as each had to come up with their own sponsor. The Irish Dairy Board came to the rescue of the Millstreet event, now known as the Kerrygold World Cup Qualifier, one of just 10 in the whole of Western Europe. RTE will again film the showpiece, with Eurosport providing extensive coverage across Europe and Fox Entertainment Network distributing highlights worldwide.
Assistant show director Thomas Duggan said this year had been a particularly difficult one with the exit of Volvo from the World Cup series and a franchise fee payable to the FEI to host the event.
This had resulted in the Brussels qualifier being cancelled with Seville also leaving the league, but Millstreet happily continues to be part of the series.
"We owe a great deal of gratitude to Kerrygold for stepping in to fill the void created by Volvo's withdrawal, and for the continued support of Dairygold Co-op, sponsors of the £15,000 Grand Prix, which will be held on Sunday afternoon," he said.
Mr Duggan said support from both these companies in particular has ensured the survival of the Irish round of the World Cup.
The Irish Sports Council through the EFI had also been of great assistance, and the support of all the other sponsors was also deeply appreciated.