TIPPERARY UNDER-21 manager Ken Hogan has rejected the idea that the Tipperary senior team will suffer from fatigue for their game against Offaly at O’Moore Park on Sunday.

Eight of the under-21 Tipperary team that won their Munster semi-final against Cork on Wednesday are part of the senior squad that will play Offaly.

Despite the midweek under-21 game going into extra-time, Hogan is adamant tiredness will not be an issue for those players.

“The first thing to realise is not all of those boys will be playing on Sunday. I actually think it will be a huge help to Tipperary. Fatigue only seems to become an issue when a team is beaten. The win on Wednesday night actually gives a boost to the lads who’ll be involved on Sunday,” he said.

While Hogan maintains the Tipperary seniors are back on course after their defeat to Cork earlier in the year, he is wary of the threat Offaly pose.

“There’s a huge rivalry between Tipperary and Offaly, being border counties. The people I’ve spoken to in Offaly are upbeat. They think they have a great chance of upsetting the applecart after their performances against Galway and Limerick.”

Hogan nevertheless believes Tipperary’s pedigree means they should progress.

“Tipperary have turned the corner and there are a lot of positives to take from their performance against Wexford. The game against Cork is all history now and I think the lads have turned that defeat to their advantage. If you ask any Kilkenny man who they see as a threat this year they’ll still mention Tipperary.”

Tipperary have a full panel to choose from. Paddy Stapleton and Paul Curran have overcome the injuries that ruled them out of the Wexford game and Brian O’Meara returns from his suspension.

Offaly welcome Daniel Currams back to their squad after a four-week suspension while corner backs Stephen Egan and Michael Verney are also available for selection.

Offaly manager Joe Dooley is happy to accept the status of underdogs for this clash.

“Tipp are probably the second favourites to win the All-Ireland after Kilkenny. They’re a great hurling county. The positives you can draw is how well we played against Galway.”

The sides last met in the National Hurling League in April. Tipperary won by a solitary point on a scoreline of 1-18 to 2-14 thanks to a Séamus Callanan injury-time goal.