MUNSTER champions Limerick make three changes from the side that eased past Waterford in the first round for next Sunday's provincial semi-final against Tipperary in Thurles.

Goalkeeper Joe Quaid returns after injury in place of understudy Albert Shanahan who had a fine match against Waterford. Last year's captain Ciaran Carey is also back as defensive pivot. Although he had a run as a substitute in the previous round, this is his first championship start of the season. Wing back Ollie Moran drops out due to injury and will not be fit to take a place even on the bench.

In at right corner forward comes Brian Tobin, who came on as a substitute in last year's All-Ireland final. He replaces Mike Galligan, who has been struggling with injury and starts Sunday's match as a substitute, as does Pat Heffernan who had also been trying to shake off injury.

Tipperary bring in two championship debutants for the match which is a re-run of last year's replayed Munster final, eventually won by Limerick. Aidan Butler of Clonoulty Rossmore is chosen at centre-field and Philly O'Dwyer comes in at left-corner-forward.

The team shows only one change from the side which recorded an impressive victory over Kilkenny in the concluding divisional match of the NHL two weeks ago. Butler's inclusion is at the expense of Brendan Carroll whom he replaced in the second half of that match.

O'Dwyer is from county champions Boherlahan Dualla. He first came to national attention when coining on as a substitute in the 1995 All-Ireland under-21 final and emerging as the chief architect of a stunning comeback which took Tipperary from an apparently hopeless halftime position to a memorable victory over Kilkenny.

John Leahy's selection at centre-field is subject to a fitness test.

On the football front, Sunday's big match in the Leinster championship is being warily approached by both Dublin and Meath who delay selection because of injuries.

Dublin's problems have been well documented although wing back Paul Curran has declared himself lit in the wake of both a groin strain and an eye injury. Ciaran Whelan's recovery from a broken arm is being closely monitored.

Meath's injuries have also been attracting attention in recent days.

"We have some reasonably serious injuries," according to selector Frank Foley. Marty (O'Connell) is the one who would have been written off until a few days ago. He damaged his hamstring two, weeks ago and is the most doubtful.

"Paddy Reynolds is in a similar category with a knee injury and we'll have to see how that responds. Tommy Dowd had a groin injury, but isn't really doubtful. The build-up has been pleasantly low-key. The match hasn't attracted a lot of attention because the injuries have taken a lot of the focus."

Offaly, meanwhile, make no change from the side that defeated Westmeath last weekend and name the same 15 for Sunday's match against Wicklow at Croke Park.

In Ulster, champions Tyrone have deferred selection pending the resolution of their own injury problems. On the positive side, centre back Fergal Logan trained last night for the first time after two weeks of intensive treatment for an injured ankle.

Brian Dooher took no part in the session because of a dead leg and his anticipated return to the team is shrouded in doubt. Ger Cavlan, who has suffered from leg injuries throughout Tyrone's already protracted campaign, is suffering this time from a thigh strain.