GAELIC GAMES:IN WHAT seems a significant encounter with regards to defining their league campaign, defending All-Ireland hurling champions Tipperary have covered some significant absentees due to injury by re-installing Shane McGrath and Lar Corbett to the starting line-up to face Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this Sunday.
Brendan Maher’s season is under serious threat after innocuously sustaining an ankle injury pucking around at home, while captain Eoin Kelly is out with a broken finger.
The silver lining sees McGrath replace Maher at midfield to play alongside Gearóid Ryan, while 2010 hurler-of-the-year Corbett is returned to a full forward line that shows two changes, as Shane Bourke starts and Paul Kelly makes way.
The other switch from the team that recorded a 13-point dismissal of Offaly on March 13th is at corner back where Paddy Stapleton replaces Eddie Connolly.
The Cork spine has been notably strengthened from the side that lost to Waterford a fortnight ago as Eoin Cadogan returns to full back and Ronan Curran is at centre back.
There is also the familiar presence of Ben O’Connor at corner forward, while Cathal Naughton’s engine will be put to good use from left half forward. Former footballer Michael Cussen’s height should provide a focal point for the attack as he comes in at full forward.
Division One leaders Dublin resisted naming a team last night for Sunday’s meeting with second-placed Galway as Peter Kelly was before the Central Hearings Committee.
Kelly was contesting a four-week suspension following an incident with Offaly’s Shane Dooley that led to a serious ear injury, but it is believed there is video evidence that shows the contact was accidental.
At the other end of the table, Keith Rossiter returns to the Wexford defence as they desperately seek to avoid relegation against the only other winless team in the top division, Offaly. David Redmond is picked at midfield and PJ Nolan starts at wing forward.
TIPPERARY (SH v Cork): B Cummins; M Cahill, P Curran, P Stapleton; J O’Keeffe, Padraic Maher, D Young; G Ryan, S McGrath; B Dunne, N McGrath, Patrick Maher; S Bourke, P Bourke, L Corbett.
CORK (SH v Tipperary): D Óg Cusack; S McDonnell, E Caogan, S Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, B Murphy; L McLoughlin, P Cronin; T Kenny, C McCarthy, C Naughton; B O’Connor, M Cussen, L O’Farrell.
WEXFORD (SH v Offaly): N Carton; P Roche, M O’Hanlon, K Rossiter; L Prendergast, D Stamp, C Kenny; D Redmond, H Kehoe; PJ Nolan, E Quigley, S Banville; R Jacob, G Sinnott, J Berry.
LAOIS (SH v Down): P Mullaney; J Delaney, B Campion, B Stapleton; J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan, B Galvin; J Walsh, S Burke; B Dunne, W Hyland, C Murray; O Holohan, N Foyle, J Brophy.
WICKLOW (SF v Roscommon): J Flynn; P Higgins, A Byrne, C Hyland; P Dalton, B McGrath, D Hayden; J Stafford, R Finn; T Hannon, P Cunningham, JP Dalton; A O’Malley, S Furlong, L Glynn.
