TIPPERARY captain Paul Ormonde admits he is ‘still hoping’ to regain his starting spot with the Munster finalists.

NO MATTER who comes out of the two Munster Club hurling semi-finals tomorrow, one thing we already know for certain — there will be new, first-time champions crowned in 2007.

Having impressively claimed their second win of the All-Ireland SHC qualifier series last weekend, Cork manager Gerald McCarthy has named an unchanged team for tomorrow's third and final qualifier against Tipperary (Semple Stadium, throw-in 7pm).

Paul Ormonde has withdrawn from the Tipperary hurling panel, leaving manager 'Babs' Keating short another defender for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Cork.

Tipperary manager Babs Keating has only been able to call upon roughly 80% of his squad in the lead-up to Tipp's Munster senior hurling championship clash with Limerick on June 10.

THE battle for Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final places commences this afternoon with games in LIT Grounds, UL Grounds and Dangean, while the fourth quarter-final is fixed for St. Pats Grounds, Drumcondra on Thursday.

Kilkenny 3-18 UCD 0-14

THIRTEEN years on from the All-Ireland semi-final of 1993, when they failed to Galway after storming through Munster, Babs Keating returns to Croke Park as manager of the Tipperary hurling team.

Toomevara attacker Francis Devanney has been drafted into the Tipperary side for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Waterford at Croke Park (throw-in 4pm).

Tipperary's team selection for Sunday's Munster SHC final could spell double trouble for champions Cork as both of the Kelly brothers, Eoin and Paul, will line out for the Premier men.

HOSTS UCC are injury-free for today's Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final against UCD at the Mardyke (12.30pm start).

CHAMPIONS Limerick IT are yet to decide whether Eoin Kelly plays in today’s Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final against UCC.

Discussing Sunday’s Munster Championship clash at the South Court Hotel, Limerick were former Tipperary hurler, Liam Sheedy, Diarmuid O’Flynn and former Limerick hurler, Gary Kirby.

Tipperary boss Ken Hogan has postponed naming his side to face Galway in the National Hurling League on Sunday until later in the week.

IN a surprise move, the Cork selectors have named Pat Mulcahy at centre-forward on the team to meet Clare in the second phase of the Allianz NHL at Cusack Park on Sunday.

LESS than a month ago, three of hurling’s traditional strongholds seemed to be in crisis.

Tipperary defender Paul Ormonde has re-joined the senior hurling squad after a lengthy lay-off due to injury.

Clare 2-17 Tipperary 0-14

Tipperary hurler Eamonn Corcoran has been handed a three-month ban by the Games Administration Committee that rules him out of his county’s crucial Munster SHC tie with Clare on Sunday.

Under 21 star John Devane is named in the Tipperary team to play Offaly in the National Hurling League at Nenagh on Sunday.

Tipperary Allstar defender Paul Kelly and colleague Paul Ormonde are likely to miss most of the Premier County's Allianz National Hurling League campaign with serious injuries which will keep them out of action for at least another six weeks.

DESPITE an ongoing knee problem, Allstar John Leahy could be tempted to make a dramatic return for his club Mullinahone’s semi-final clash with Toomevara in the Tipperary county senior hurling championship at Thurles tomorrow.

Tipperary senior hurling star Paul Ormonde is facing an enforced lay off from gaelic games activity having suffered a re-occurence of a groin injury which has dogged his season.

Tipperary senior hurling manager Nicky English has made two changes from the side which lost the Munster Final for tomorrow¹s qualifier clash with Offaly.

Tipperary senior hurlers Conor Gleeson and John O¹Brien are struggling to be fit for the premier county¹s clash with Offaly in next Saturday weeks All-Ireland qualifier clash in Portlaoise.

Tipperary Senior Hurling boss Nicky English has deferred selection of his team to play Waterford in Sunday's Guinness Munster Senior Hurling Final until Wednesday evening after a squad session in Thurles.

Tipperary senior hurling Allstar Eddie Enright has given Manager Nicky English something to cheer about by returning to full training following a badly broken finger which necessitated the insertion of three pins.

Tipperary senior hurling Manager Nicky English has delayed selection of his team for Sunday¹s Guinness Munster semi-final clash with Limerick until Wednesday evening.

Tipperary senior hurlers John Carroll and Mark O¹Leary are fighting to be fit for the Munster semi-final clash with Limerick on Sunday week.

Tipperary hurling corner-back Paul Ormonde has been added to the Premier County’s growing list of injuries following a club football game at the weekend.

Tipperary hurler John Carroll faces a race against time to be fit for the Munster senior hurling championship clash with Clare in Pairc Uí Chaoimh on May 19.

The Tipperary selectors have been forced to make a number of changes for Sunday's clash with Cork in the Allianz National Hurling League semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Holders Tipperary got through to the semi-final of the Allianz National Hurling League with a five-point win over Galway in a disappointing quarter final at Thurles today, which failed to ignite.