Tipp boss Doyle has more on his mind than Byrne

DENIS BYRNE may be prepared to declare for Tipperary hurlers following the official sanction by Croke Park of his transfer to Mullinahone — but it’s not an immediate concern of manager Michael Doyle.

He said yesterday that until such time Byrne was a Tipperary player ‘in stone’, he would not be making any comment. “I have 33 lads in training and they are the lads I am concerned about at the moment.”

The former Kilkenny captain, who lined out with Graigue-Ballycallan in the All-Ireland club final against Athenry two years ago, is known to have been bitterly disappointed when he wasn’t called into the panel at the start of last year.

Kilkenny secretary Pat Dunphy said yesterday he hoped Byrne might return to his home club. “If a person is not happy to stay where they are, you are better off not standing in that

person’s way. Maybe down the line he will come back,” he said on Radio Kilkenny.

Meanwhile, Derry star Sean Marty Lockhart will start his first game in over a year when he lines out in

Sunday’s Allianz NFL game against Tipperary.

Introduced as a substitute in last Sunday’s win over Clare in Ennis, He had been sidelined after receiving a serious arm injury in last season’s

Ulster semi-final against Donegal.

He replaces club-mate Ronan Lynch at right corner-back, while Jim Kelly comes in for dual star Geoffrey McGonigle, at left corner-forward.

Fermanagh, who will be at home to Cavan, welcome back Paul Brewster. He resumes his place at midfield, with corner-back Raymie Johnson losing out in a reshuffle.

Westmeath have named Gary Dolan younger brother of Dessie Dolan, at full-forward for their meeting with Antrim. Clare’s team to play Carlow shows five changes in personnel from the Derry defeat. Two of them are in the full-back line where Donal O’Sullivan is ruled out through injury and Darragh Blake is rested because of Sigerson Cup commitments next week. Padraig Gallagher comes in at right corner-back and Conor Whelan takes over at full-back.

Peter Cosgrove replaces Ger Quinlan at midfield, while Paul Hehir and Alan Clohessy lose out in a rearranged attack. Replacing them are Peter McMahon and Michael O’Shea.

Wexford have been plagued with injury problems as they continue their bid for promotion. The selectors have deferred selection of their side for Saturday’s top of the table Division 2B national football league clash with Monaghan at Wexford Park as their dressing room has become something of a casualty ward.