The host of retirements from inter-county fare has taken the hurling community by surprise.

DECLAN RYAN would have preferred a fit Brendan Maher at the start of this season but his return to action has given him plenty of stick to use against Seamus Callanan.

ALL-IRELAND senior hurling champions Tipperary have been dealt a fresh injury blow with the news forward Patrick ‘Bonnar’ Maher has been ruled out for a month with a broken hand.