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.