Corbett back for Tipperary as three month suspension ends

EAMON CORCORAN and Lar Corbett have been recalled to the Tipperary team for Sunday’s do-or-die Guinness All-Ireland senior hurling championship qualifier with Galway at Pearse Stadium.

Corcoran is named at centre-back, with Corbett taking over the left corner-forward position as Tipperary travel into the lions den.

The return of Corbett, whose three months suspension term expires at midnight on Saturday, releases Tomas Dunne to take over his customary midfield duties, with Eoin Brislane being relegated to the substitutes bench.

Dunne filled the centre half-back position in the last championship outing against Laois, with Brislane filling in at midfield.

Corbett, a player of immense potential, but who is capable of blowing hot and cold, is given another opportunity to claim a permanent position on the current Tipperary side.

His inclusion leads to the demotion of John Carroll, who occupied the left half-forward berth in the Laois game.

Mark O’Leary now reverts back to his normal right half-forward position with team captain Brian O’Meara operating on the left flank.

After announcing his team in Thurles last night, manager Michael Doyle said he was satisfied that despite his long absence for competitive hurling Corbett would come up trumps.

“It’s not a big gamble really playing him, even allowing for the enforced lay-off, because he has a fantastic competitive streak in him.”

Neither is Doyle fazed by the fact that Tipp’s All-Ireland destiny will be decided away from home.

“From where, I stand, one pitch is the same as the other.

“We were away from home in the last game against Laois and our followers supported us greatly. I feel certain that they will do so again on Sunday and travel in droves to Salthill.”

Meanwhile, the Kerry minor team to play Cork in Sunday’s Munster championship final shows three changes in personnel and a couple of positional switches from the team which defeated Clare in the semi-final.

Brian Moran comes in at midfield for Sean O’Shea; Michael Bowler is in for the suspended Dan Doona, while Kevin O’Sullivan replaces Jersey Houlihan at right corner-forward.

Moran, a student at Tralee CBS, is son of former Kerry great Denis ‘Ogie’ Moran.

Positional switches see Brian Sheehan move from centre to full-forward, the position occupied by Doona in the semi-final. Barry O’Grady switches from left half-forward to lead the attack.

TIPPERARY (SH v Galway): B. Cummins; T. Costello, P. Curran, M. Maher; B. Dunne, E. Corcoran, P. Kelly; E. Enright, T. Dunne; M. O’Leary, C. Gleeson, B. O’Meara; E. Kelly, D. Byrne, L. Corbett.

Subs: J. Cottrell, A. Butler E. Brislane, L. Cahill, J. Carroll, J. Devane, D. Fitzgerald, R. Flannery, B. Horgan, D. Kennedy, C. Morrissey, P. O’Brien, G. O’Grady, E. Ryan, M. Ryan.

KERRY (MF v Cork): B. Kealy (Kilcummin); M. Curran (Waterville), L. Quinn (Dr Crokes), P. Reidy (Scartaglin); C. Kelleher (Milltown-Castlemaine), S. O’Sullivan (Lispole), J. McGillycuddy (Glenbeigh/Glencar); D. Breen (Beaufort), B. Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys); M. Murphy (Gneeveguilla), B. O’Grady (Ballyduff), M., Bowler (Do); K. O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), B. Sheehan (St Mary’s), D. Geaney (Dingle). Subs: C. Myers (Fossa), S. O’Shea (St Michael’s/Foilmore), J. Houlihan (Ballyduff), J. O’Sullivan (Rathmore), J. Moynihan (Gneeveguilla), D. Cullotty (Na Gael), A. Cahalane (Keel), J. Dowling (Ardfert), S. Murphy (Milltown/Castlemaine).