Tipperary look to young blood for Offaly league opener

TIPPERARY introduce three newcomers for their opening game in the Allianz National Hurling League against Offaly at Birr on Sunday.

Michael Phelan, Shane Maher and Seamus Butler, recent members of the county's U21 squad, are called up, with Aformer Kilkenny star Denis Byrne making his first competitive start in blue and gold as a midfielder.

Phelan, who held Setanta Ó hAilpín scoreless in last season's Munster U21 championship, has been named at left corner-back. Maher, from the Burgess club will lead the Tipp attack with Butler, a son of former Allstar Tommy, at right corner-forward.