After a somewhat low-key start, the Allianz National Hurling League definitely moves up a gear this Sunday, and several team selections reflect that. Tipperary are among those looking to redress first-round defeats and manager Babs Keating has adjusted his team accordingly, clearly seeking to make good the loss to Limerick last Sunday week.
Keating has made six changes for the trip to Nowlan Park and crucial Division One B clash with league champions Kilkenny. Some of those are enforced through injury, but another defeat would seriously dent Tipperary's chances of making the play-offs, thus ensuring a lengthy gap between league and championship hurling.
Paul Curran, Declan Fanning, Conor O'Mahony and Benny Dunne all come back into the defence, while Toomevara's Francis Devanney comes into midfield, and John Carroll starts at right wing forward. Diarmaid Fitzgerald, Hugh Maloney, Micheál Webster and Séamus Butler were not considered because of injury. Fitzgerald's injury is most serious, with the Roscrea clubman damaging knee medial ligaments playing for UCD against Limerick IT in Tuesday's Fitzgibbon Cup tie.
He could be sidelined for up to two months, but has initially been told to wear a brace for six weeks and then begin rehab before hopefully returning in time for the championship opener against Limerick on June 10th.
Limerick have another high-profile game this Sunday, hosting Ger Loughnane's Galway at the Gaelic Grounds. Despite the impressive nature of their win over Tipperary, manager Richie Bennis has also made several changes, with Denis Moloney and Mark O'Riordan replacing Willie Walsh and Paudie O'Dwyer at left corner back and right wing back respectively.
James O'Brien also comes in for Niall Moran at right wing forward and former dual star Conor Fitzgerald takes over from Barry Foley at corner forward.
Also in Division One B, Dublin have named their team to face Antrim at Casement Park, a game manager Tommy Naughton regards as crucial in their quest to build on their excellent first-round draw with Kilkenny.
Liam Ryan replaces the injured Keith Dunne at wing forward in the only change from the Kilkenny game. Dublin's last game againt Antrim two years ago ended in defeat, although Dublin have only six survivors from that day - Gary Maguire, Stephen Hiney, Ronan Fallon, Derek O'Reilly, David Curtin and Michael Carton.
In Division One A, Cork manager Gerald McCarthy has finalised his line-up for the meeting with his former team Waterford at Walsh Park. There are three changes from the first-round win over Offaly, with Killian Cronin of Cloyne named at full back, John Gardiner returning at right wing back, and Kevin Canty named at left wing forward.
The placing of Canty highlights the rotation policy of the new management, as the Valley Rovers player previously featured in the Waterford Crystal final against Tipperary and came on as a substitute against Offaly. Seán Óg Ó hAilpín doesn't start because of a minor knee injury, while former full back Diarmuid O'Sullivan continues at full forward.
Elsewhere, the GAA have confirmed the referees for the All-Ireland junior and intermediate club football finals in Croke Park on March 10th. The junior final between Duagh (Kerry) and Greencastle (Tyrone) will be refereed by Derek Fahy of Longford while Michael Duffy of Sligo will be in charge of the intermediate final on the same evening between Eoghan Ruadh (Derry) and Kerry champions Ardfert.
The AIB All-Ireland club senior football final between Crossmaglen Rangers and Dr Crokes in Croke Park on March 17th will be refereed by Syl Doyle of Wexford.
