Liam Doyle, about whose inter-county hurling future there has been much speculation in recent times, has been named in the Clare team to play Meath in the opening round of the national hurling league at Ennis on Sunday.

Doyle has been chosen at corner back in a side which includes two players who will be making their league debut. They are Conor Plunkett, who will be at left corner back and Tony Carmody who will play at wing forward. Gearoid Considine returns after missing last season through injury.

The selectors did not consider members of the Sixmilebridge team who are preparing for the All Ireland semi-final while Ollie Baker is ruled out through injury.

Waterford have named a strong team for the opening NHL fixture against Derry at Dungarvan. It features three newcomers to competitive senior hurling: Right wing back Victor O'Shea, left wing forward Eoin Kelly and right corner forward John Mullane. Pat Walsh, who has played most of his intercounty hurling at wing back, is named at full forward.

Kelly makes his debut on the opposite wing to his Mount Sion colleague Ken McGrath. Although the club was very disappointing in the Munster club final against Sixmilebridge last November, McGrath was their best player and Kelly, who scored 1-1 that day, is regarded as a player of some promise.

First-choice wing forward Dan Shanahan broke his thumb playing against Limerick the week before last and will miss the opening matches in the league. Fergal Hartley has just returned from overseas and is named on the bench for Sunday.

Antrim name two debutants for the trip to Limerick. Centrefielder Mickey Kettle and full back Charlie McAllister are the newcomers.