TEAM NEWS:TIPPERARY CAN expect to face Cork's so-called twin towers when they travel to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for Sunday's Munster hurling quarter-final. The news that Michael Cussen has now sufficiently recovered from the broken bone in his hand sustained in the hurling league final earlier this month means he is poised to resume duties in the full-forward line alongside Aisake Ó hAilpín.
Cussen was believed to be ruled out when he sustained the injury late on in the league final defeat to Galway back on May 2nd, yet he took a full part in a final practice game at a training camp in Clonakilty over the weekend and is therefore set to feature.
Defender Eoin Cadogen, who was also considered a doubtful starter due to a stress facture in his foot, also took full part in the practice match and is likewise set to feature on Sunday.
The fitness of both Cussen and Cadogen will be a significant boost to Cork manager Denis Walsh as he seeks a first championship win over Tipperary since the 2006 Munster final.
However, the news on midfielder Tom Kenny is not as encouraging as the hamstring injury which has seriously curtailed his training in recent weeks is now likely to rule him out of Sunday’s encounter.
Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy will announce his team after training tomorrow evening, with forward Pat Kerwick almost certain to miss out with a groin injury.
Lar Corbett looks to have shook-off his recent knee injury, although Benny Dunne is still sidelined with a wrist injury, and Paul Kelly and James Woodlock remain long-term absentees.
Offaly will begin their Leinster hurling championship campaign against Antrim on Sunday without the services of defender Stephen Egan and forward Ger Healion.
Egan has a leg injury while Healion has a broken finger, and there is also considerable doubt about midfielder Brendan Murphy, who has a back complaint.
In football, Benny Coulter is expected to take over as captain of the Down team for Sunday’s Ulster quarter-final against Donegal, as midfielder Ambrose Rogers is struggling to make the starting team having only recently had a cast removed from his foot after suffering a broken bone before last month’s Division Two final against Armagh.
Donegal will be without midfielder Brendan Boyle due to a groin injury, but Neil Gallagher and Christy Toye are now fit to start.
