Clare give debuts to two players for Sunday's big Munster hurling championship clash against Clare. In a side showing five changes from the team beaten by Tipperary in the National League final, Doora-Barefield's David Hoey and Inagh's Tony Carmody come in for their first championship starts. There will be some surprise at aspects of the selection.
Brian Quinn's inclusion ahead of Colm Forde reverses Cyril Lyons's selection policy during the league when Forde looked a certainty to make his championship debut this weekend.
Hoey was one of the names mentioned in relation to the injured Liam Doyle's position although John Reddan, who deputised for Sean McMahon (now returned after injury) at centre back during the league, was also given a good chance of playing.
Gearoid Considine was another who looked likely to get a place with some good displays during the league but he is essentially a midfielder and with the old firm of Ollie Baker and Colin Lynch available to start in the middle, Considine would only have got in at half forward. His display there in the league final was negligible after an early knock forced his substitution after half an hour.
Carmody's inclusion is probably the biggest surprise but he impressed in last week's challenge defeat against Galway in Tubber. He scored three points and set up the team's only goal and is obviously regarded as the player in form.
Alan Markham returns to the team with Tony Griffin dropping to the bench.
There is no place for All-Ireland captain Anthony Daly who has been unable to regain fitness after his late re-entry to the training panel. For the first time in seven years the famous halfback line of Doyle, McMahon and Daly will not be operating as a unit. It is the first time in over 10 years that Daly will not be starting a championship match.
Meanwhile, Kerry have dropped reserve goalkeeper Peter O'Leary, who has been on the county panel since 1990, and replaced him with Diarmuid Murphy from Dingle. Murphy played in recent challenge games and was outstanding against Meath last Sunday.
Tyrone defender Ciaran Gourley could be back for the Ulster football semi-final against either Derry or Antrim on June 17th. Gourley has had successful surgery on an injured finger.
Gourley's return is timely as both of Tyrone's corner backs were injured in the match against Armagh. Paul McGurk damaged knee ligaments and will be out for some time while Cormac McGinley is to see a specialist this week about a similar but less serious injury.
Kildare footballers have been handed a £50,000 incentive to land this year's All-Ireland. The proprietors of the Ivy Inn in Naas have put up the bonus money. The men behind the offer are Fergal O'Mahony and Tommy Finnerty who won an All-Ireland minor medal with Galway in 1986. The scheme will be officially launched in The Ivy Inn tomorrow night at 9.0, and the master of ceremonies will be RTE commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh.
The death took place last Monday of Brendan Smith, Ballybay. A former journalist with the Northern Standard in Monaghan, Brendan was also a regular GAA correspondent with The Irish Times. He will be buried today in Ballybay following 11 a.m. mass in St Patrick's Church.
Clare (SH v Tipperary): D Fitzgerald; B Quinn, B Lohan (capt), F Lohan; D Hoey, S McMahon, G Quinn; O Baker, C Lynch; T Carmody, J O'Connor, A Markham; D Forde, N Gilligan, B Murphy. Subs: G O'Connell, L Doyle, A Daly, J Reddan, C Forde, E Flannery, PJ O'Connell, G Considine, T Griffin.
