News: Tyrone defender Conor Gormley will be out of action for several weeks after his appendix was removed earlier this week.
Understandably, Mickey Harte will not rush into naming his team for this weekend's League match against Mayo in Castlebar.
"We will have to legislate being without him now for the next few weeks. It's another blow to us," said Harte yesterday.
Although the team have been together on several occasions since the tragic death of Cormac McAnallen, they had not trained until last night. A starting line-up is expected to be announced tomorrow.
In light of the reaction from the McAnallen family and the community of Eglish, Harte feels his side have a responsibility to continue to pursue the highest possible standards this year.
"It still important that we carry ourselves well," he said "The Eglish club and Cormac's family showed great control. They all carried themselves very well. There is an onus on us to be the best we can be. The players are beginning to come to terms with it. Of course all react in individual ways but there has been good support within the panel."
Meanwhile, the weekend is a mix of National Hurling and Football League fixtures and throws up some intriguing encounters, not least for Páidí Ó Sé and Pad Joe Whelahan.
Westmeath entertain Kerry in Mullingar as Ó Sé attempts to beat his native county and get his new charges their first win after a disappointing start to the campaign.
Full back Donal O'Donoghue, who departed early against Dublin last week with a hamstring injury, is a major doubt but Paul Martin may be available after missing the last three matches.
Whelahan brings his struggling Limerick side to Birr, the scene of many a great day in his managerial career, to face an undefeated Offaly. Peter Lawlor is absent for Limerick after damaging his elbow against Tipperary. Both sides name their line-ups tonight.
If passed fit, Conal Keaney may play for both the Dublin hurlers and footballers on consecutive days this weekend, the latter travelling to Fermanagh on Sunday.
"We'll assess the situation if he comes through Saturday's hurling match," said Dublin selector Dave Billings "The player's well-being comes first. It's a long year."
Dublin's opponents on Saturday are Waterford, who will be missing several key players. Séamus Prendergast has a recurrence of last year's hamstring injury and is definitely out, as are Ken McGrath (knee) and Eoin McGrath (suspended). Doubts remain over John Millane (shoulder) and Paul Flynn.
The Tipperary team to play Wexford in the National Hurling League, Division One B, clash on Sunday shows two changes from that which defeated Limerick.
Thomas Costelloe returns to right full back, with John Carroll moving from defence to centre forward in place of the injured Shane Maher. Lar Corbett replaces the injured Brian O'Meara at right half forward.
TIPPERARY (v Wexford): B Cummins; T Costelloe, J Devane, M Phelan; E Corcoran, D Kennedy, D Fitzgerald; E Enright, P Kelly; L Corbett, J Carroll, B Dunne; S Butler, G O'Grady, E Kelly.
