THE Tipperary selectors are faced, with a number of tricky problems ahead of Sunday's National Hurling League final against Galway in Limerick. Unlike Galway, who are certain to be at full strength following a successful fitness test on Nigel Shaughnessy on Sunday, Tipperary's injury list has increased.

As things stand, they cannot be sure of the services of Colm Bonner, Aidan Ryan, Declan Ryan, Tommy Dunne or Brian Horgan.

Bonner, who sustained a suspected broken bone in his left wrist while assisting his club, Cashel King Cormacs, in the All Ireland club XIs tournament in Carlow on Saturday, looks the most doubtful, along with Dunne and Horgan.

Bonner's wrist was so badly swollen yesterday that an X ray had to be deferred until later in the week. Dunne and Horgan sustained their injuries in a challenge match with Dublin in Templemore on Sunday evening. Dunne was detained overnight in hospital with an eye injury while Horgan broke a collar bone.

Aidan Ryan still has a nagging back injury and Declan Ryan is recovering from a shoulder injury picked up in the semi final against Laois. The good news for Tipperary manager Fr Tom Fogarty is that Noel Sheehy is fit to resume at full back. When Sheehy was injured for the semi final against Laois, Paul Shelly deputised at number three and played well.

The Leinster senior hurling championship tie between Carlow and Westmeath that ended in a draw on Sunday has created a fixtures problem for the Leinster council. The council want to replay the game in Carlow on Sunday next as part of a double header with the Carlow Wexford first round senior football championship game. However, Carlow will not agree to this arrangement as Johnny Nevin, their dual player, is due to play in the football match.

Carlow county chairman Jim English suggests that the hurling game should be played on the following Sunday with the Carlow Westmeath minor championship match. This would not be possible, however, as the winners are fixed to meet Meath on that date.

Wexford's championship prospects have been dealt a severe blow following an injury to full back John O'Connor. O'Connor broke a bone in his wrist in the National League semi final defeat by Galway, which rules him out of their Leinster championship clash with Kilkenny on June 2nd.

O'Connor's absence could mean a return to full back for Ger Cush, who was centre back during the League campaign, with Liam Dunne being restored to his more familiar centre back role.

Meanwhile, Dave Foran, manager of Wicklow's footballers, has problems before naming his team this evening for Sunday's Leinster senior football championship match against Longford.

Influential forward Kevin O'Brien is doubtful after he pulled up in training with hamstring damage, while Hugh Kenny went over on a ankle in a recent club match.

Limerick's longest serving player, Donal Fitzgibbon, will miss next Sunday's Munster senior football championship clash against Cork, the holders, at Kilmallock (7.30). Fitzgibbon injured his back while playing in a club game in Dublin last week and Limerick manager Dave Quirke said it was likely he would be out of action for the next couple of months.

Despite having been sent to the line in a club match at the weekend, Peter Canavan is almost certain to be eligible for Tyrone's opening Ulster senior football championship encounter with Fermanagh in Omagh on June 9th. He is expected to receive the minimum two weeks suspension.