EAMONN TAAFFE, scorer of the critical goal for Clare in last September's All Ireland final, makes his first competitive appearance this year at right corner forward against Tipperary in Thurles.

Clare have made four changes to the team that lost to Kilkenny a fortnight ago. Out go corner back Brian Quinn, Ronan O'Hara and All Ireland full forwards Stephen McNamara and Conor Clancy. They are replaced by Ger Moroney, Colin Lynch and All Ireland medallists, Taaffe and Germ "Sparrow" O'Loughlin.