Tipperary make three changes for U21 replay

TIPPERARY have made three changes from the drawn game for tomorrow night’s Munster Under-21 HC final replay with Limerick in Thurles.

County senior footballer Kevin Mulryan comes in at left half-back for Diarmuid Fitzgerald, while MacDara Butler replaces Ronan O’Brien, and Pa Morrissey takes over from Eamon Ryan in the forward line.

John Devane, who has stitches in a hand wound, has been named at centre back, while senior player Eoin Kelly has been moved to right corner-forward, with Lar Corbett at left half-forward.

In defence, Dermot Gleeson and Martin Maher will switch wings.

Defending champions Limerick are concerned about the fitness of Michael O’Donnell.

The Limerick midfielder twisted his knee in training and according to team coach David Keane, is considered doubtful for tomorrow’s replay.

John O’Connor, who came on early in the game and did well, is also under pressure to be fit.

He picked up a foot injury which may confine him to the subs bench again.

Keane said he was disappointed at having to return to Thurles for the game.

“Why should we give any advantage to Tipperary?” he said.

“Cusack Park and Pairc Uí Chaoimh were alternatives, but the decision was out of my hands.”

The Limerick under-21 coach, who has taken the county to back-to-back provincial and All-Ireland titles, refused to comment on whether he had interest in being coach to the senior team.

“My primary concern right now is the under-21 team and all my energies are focused in that direction”, he said.

Tipp’s under-21 players on their senior team, Kelly, John O’Brien and Corbett, all came through Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny and will be fit to play tomorrow night.

TIPPERARY: D. Young, D. Gleeson, P. Curran, M. Maher, T. King, J. Devane, K. Mulryan, S. Maher, E. Brislane, D. Shelley, M. Butler, L. Corbett, E. Kelly, J. O’Brien, P. Morrissey.