National League hurling semi-finals: Team Captain Tommy Dunne returns to midfield for Tipperary's Allianz League hurling semi-final against Cork. Dunne missed the quarter-final win over Galway through illness but, as expected, has sufficiently recovered for Sunday's game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
His return marks one of five changes from the side that started in Thurles against Galway last Sunday. Newcomer John Devane takes over at corner back from the injured Paul Ormonde for his first major start for the Tipperary seniors.
Devane was part of the University of Limerick side that won this year's Fitzgibbon Cup, and has also played at full back at minor and under-21 level for Tipperary in recent years, while he came on a substitute in the round-robin league match with Cork.
Injury also ruled out wing back Eamonn Corcoran and Paul Kelly returns. Kelly starts on the left wing, with Brendan "Benny" Dunne moving over to the right.
Tommy Dunne returns for Eddie Enright, who suffered a serious hand injury early in the second half last Sunday. That required an operation and he remains doubtful for the early stages of the championship.
In attack, Brian O'Meara is back in a starting role in place of Mark O'Leary - a swap that in fact occurred in the second half last Sunday. It is O'Meara's first competitive start for the county since he was sent off during last year's All-Ireland semi-final against Wexford. That sending-off cost him his place for the final. Injury also ruled John O'Brien out of the full-forward position and, not surprisingly Eugene O'Neill, gets the nod there after his notable runs as a substitute in the last couple of games - especially the last meeting against Cork.
The GAC have confirmed that, if required, two periods of 15 minutes of extra-time will be played in the this weekend's semi-finals. If replays are required after extra-time, they will take place on Saturday, April 27th.
Provisional venues for the hurling finals, which will take place on May 5th, have also been announced. If the Division One final pairing is Cork against Kilkenny, it will be played in Thurles. If it is Tipperary against Limerick it will be played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. If it is Cork against Limerick, it will be in Killarney, and if it is Tipperary against Kilkenny, it will be in Nowlan Park.
In Division Two, if the pairing is Antrim against Laois they will play at Navan, or if it is Antrim against Down it will be at Casement Park. Alternatively, if it is Kerry against Down, it will be in Newbridge. If it is Kerry against Laois, it will be the curtain-raiser to the Division One final.
A couple of venue changes for the weekend have also been announced. The Division Two semi-final between Laois and Down will now be played in Drogheda, and Tyrone against Monaghan in the Division Four semi-final will be played in Omagh.
TIPPERARY (SH): B Cummins; T Costello, P Maher, J Devane; B Dunne, D Kennedy, P Kelly; T Dunne, N Morris; B O'Meara, J Carroll, L Corbett; L Cahill, E O'Neill, E Kelly.
