Donoghue makes three changes for Galway's clash with Dublin in Leinster SHC
MICHEAL DONOGHUE has made three changes to the Galway senior hurling team to face Dublin in round four of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship on Saturday (4:30pm) in Pearse Stadium.
Joshua Ryan and Colm Molloy who both started last weekend against Kildare drop out of the Galway starting XV. Conor Cooney who also made his first start of the Leinster SHC against Kildare misses this weekend’s clash against Dublin with a hamstring injury. Cooney was forced off in the second half with an injury against Kildare.
Ronan Glennon comes into the Tribesmen defence at corner-back, while Jason Rabbitte and Aaron Niland return to Galway’s starting XV in attack after being rested last weekend.
Rabbitte, who came off the bench in Galway’s 2-23 to 1-16 extra-time victory over Wexford, scored 0-3, with the Athenry clubman set for a quick return to action this weekenD.
Aaron Niland missed the win over Wexford after picking up a knock in Wednesday night’s Leinster U-20 semi-final, having initially been ruled out with a minor injury. Niland has made a return to fill fitness and he is deemed fit enough to start this weekend.
“We spoke during the week with Micheal [Donoghue] and the physio team. We had a plan, we were probably hoping (Aaron Niland) was going to make it. The risk was just slightly too high, we had to accept the decision. Hopefully, he will be ready for Dublin on Saturday,” said Galway U20 hurling manager Gavin Keary.
Brian Concannon, Fintan Burke, Declan McLaughlin and Cillian Whelan have all been included on the stand by squad.
Galway can book their place in the Leinster Hurling final on Saturday when a win or a draw against Dublin . Micheal Donoghue will be hoping his side can take care of business this weekend before their trip to Wexford on Sunday, May 24.
GALWAY: Darach Fahy; Ronan Glennon, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey (Captain); Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Gavin Lee; Cian Daniels, Tiernan Killeen; John Fleming, Cathal Mannion, Aaron Niland; Jason Rabbitte, Conor Whelan, Rory Burke.
SUBS: Eanna Murphy, Joshua Ryan, Kieran Hanrahan, Shane Morgan, Cianan Fahy, Sean Linnane, Darragh Neary, Colm Molloy, Tom Monaghan, Oisin Lohan, Evan Niland.
DUBLIN: Eddie Gibbons; Conor Groake, Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell; Chris Crummey, Liam Rushe, Conor Burke; Brian Hayes, Conor Donohue; Fergal Whitely, Donal Burke, Darragh Power; David Purcell, John Hetherton, Cian O’Sullivan.
SUBS: Sean Brennan; David Lucey, Conal O Rian, Ollie Gaffney, Conor McHugh, John Bellew, Diarmuid O Dulaing, Paddy Dunleavy, Dara Purcell, Paddy Doyle, Ronan Hayes.