Dream return in sight for Byrne

FORMER Kilkenny captain Denis Byrne’s dream of a return to inter-county hurling with Tipperary moves closer to reality with his inclusion — along with John Leahy — among the substitutes for next Sunday’s Allianz National Hurling League game against Galway in Thurles.

It has been facilitated, maybe sooner than he could have hoped for, by a number of injuries in the panel, which also sees the talented and committed Liam Cahill make a rare start.

Byrne's omission from the Kilkenny selection for the championship last year prompted his decision to switch clubs and, crucially, to also transfer his loyalty to Tipperary. Officers of the Graigue-Ballycallan club are reported to have made strong efforts to dissuade him from transferring to Mullinahone. However, once the former Cat's captain made up his mind to make the bold move, that was the end of the matter. In the meantime, he has maintained a dignified silence.