GAA: ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS Tipperary have named the same team that overwhelmed Waterford in the Munster final for Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin.
That means Brendan Maher, last season’s young hurler of the year, is again held in reserve despite recovering from a fractured ankle.
Maher came on for Patrick Maher in the provincial final for the last seven minutes, but John O’Keeffe is retained at wing back alongside Conor O’Mahony and Pádraic Maher.
Tipperary manager Declan Ryan has also opted to keep Paddy Stapleton at corner back ahead of David Young.
Noel McGrath switches to wing forward, as he did against Waterford, with Séamus Callanan at centre forward, but expect multiple forward changes throughout the 70 minutes.
Pa Bourke and Benny Dunne are also expected to feature off the bench in the second half. Bourke rattled off two points when he came on against Waterford.
Brendan Cummins takes hold of the outright record for championship appearances on Sunday. The 36-year-old goalkeeper has been playing for the Tipp seniors since 1995 and equalled Cork legend Christy Ring’s record 65 games on July 10th.
Séamus Hennessy is the only regular contributor not available for selection due to a knee injury.
In contrast, Dublin manager Anthony Daly will announce a side tonight without several key players due to injury.
Oisín Gough joins Stephen Hiney and Tomás Brady as absentees from their defence having broken a bone in his hand last week while Cuala’s David Treacy (hamstring) is the latest forward to be ruled out having pulled up in training last weekend.
“David was going very well in training,” said Dublin selector John McEvoy. “He was recuperating from the cruciate for the last eight to nine months. Last Sunday he just pulled up with about ten minutes to go in a practice match amongst ourselves. It was unfortunate because he played very well when he came on against Limerick.
“Oisín, as well, the previous week broke a bone in his hand. They are both out for this game anyway,” he added.
McEvoy, who is also the under-21 manager, and preparing that side for an All-Ireland semi-final against Antrim on Saturday week, explained the attitude within the Dublin camp to the mounting injury list.
They are big losses, but we have a very strong panel. We made a pact at the start of the year that we wouldn’t use injuries as excuses. Those who have come in for the seniors have really stepped up to the plate.
“There is no getting around it – they are big names, but we just have to get on with it.”
Shay Boland’s Dublin minor team, who faces Munster runners-up Waterford in their AllIreland semi-final, also at Croke Park on Sunday, will select from a full panel today.
Dublin last reached the AllIreland minor final in 1983 when a team, which included Niall Quinn, was beaten 0-10 to 0-7 by Galway.
The last All-Ireland senior appearance was 1961 – a one-point defeat to Tipperary.
TIPPERARY (SHC v Dublin): B Cummins; P Stapleton, P Curran, M Cahill; J O'Keeffe, C O'Mahony, Pádraic Maher; G Ryan, S McGrath; N McGrath, S Callanan, Patrick Maher; E Kelly, J O'Brien, L Corbett.
