Stability in key positions is Tipperary's league aim

TIPPERARY v CLARE

Semple Stadium, Thurles

Saturday, 26^th January

Throw-in @ 7.00pm.

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)

 

The treatment table of physio Paddy O'Brien continues to be a busy one for Tipperary ahead of the start of the Allianz Hurling League against Clare next Saturday night.

Of the 39 man panel, just 28 have been able to train regularly over the last nine weeks, and with the Fitzgibbon Cup in full swing with eleven Tipperary panelists involved in games last weekend and today (Wednesday), it could be a case of who is available when Liam Sheedy, Tommy Dunne and Darragh Egan sit down to make their first major team selection later this week.

Of the eleven players that didn't feature in the three Munster Hurling League games played so far, Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy has provided an update on their recovery.

“John McGrath (groin), John O’Dwyer (ankle surgery) should be available mid February. Both of them should be back to full training in ten days or the next two weeks.

“Brendan Maher is looking to be at full training the middle of February. He should be available for the back end of the league while Sean O’Brien should be back in the next two weeks.

Niall O’Meara (Gimore's groin) is getting much stronger and may be back four weeks from now. Jason Ryan (collar bone) is that bit longer. He is training fine and I would like to think he could be back hurling in about four weeks time,” he revealed.

Defender Seamus Kennedy won't feature in the early rounds of the league either having picked up a hamstring injury in the Munster League final defeat to Clare but Sheedy is hopeful that James Barry might be available having returned to training this week following a back injury while newcomers Brian McGrath and Jamie Moloney are also close to full fitness.

 

To read more, pick up a copy of this weeks Nenagh Guardian locally or subscribe to our e-paper to access it online each Wednesday.

 

Tipperary's Hurling League schedule

Saturday 26^th January: Tipperary v Clare at Semple Stadium @ 7.00pm

Saturday 2^nd February: Limerick v Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds @ 7.00pm

Sunday 17^th February: Wexford v Tipperary at Innovate Wexford Park @ 2.00pm

Sunday 24^th February: Tipperary v Kilkenny at Semple Stadium @ 2.00pm

Sunday 3^rd March: Cork v Tipperary at Pairc Ui Chaoimh @ 2.00pm

Sunday 10^th March: Quarter Finals or Relegation Playoff

Saturday 16^th March: Semi-Finals

Sunday 24^th March: Final

 

Tipperary Senior Hurling panel

Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill)

James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane)

Michael Breen (Ballina)

Ger Browne (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)

Robert Byrne (Portroe)*

Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens)*

Jerome Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs)*

Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch)

Willie Connors (Kiladangan)

Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

Colin English (Fr. Sheehy's)*

Alan Flynn (Kiladangan)

Jason Forde (Silvermines)

Tom Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty)

Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg)

Barry Hogan (Kiladangan)*

Brian Hogan (Lorrha)

Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)

Seamus Kennedy (St. Mary’s)

Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)

Donagh Maher (Burgess)

Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)

Patrick Maher (Lorrha)

Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)

Mark McCarthy (Toomevara)*

Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)

Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)*

John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)

Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)

Jamie Moloney (Drom & Inch)*

Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)

Sean O’Brien (Newport)

Joe O'Dwyer (Killenaule)

John O'Dwyer (Killenaule)

Killian O'Dwyer (Killenaule)*

Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

Dillon Quirke (Clonoulty/Rossmore)

Jason Ryan (Toomevara)*

David Sweeney (Kiladangan)*

* - denotes newcomers