Premier starlet Maher set to face Shannonsiders

BRENDAN MAHER will make his starting championship debut for Tipperary in Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Limerick, after being drafted into the team by manager Liam Sheedy last night.

The Borrisoleigh youngster, who came on as a substitute in Tipperary’s three Munster championship ties this summer, will start at left half-back. As a result, Thurles Sarsfields’ PadraicMaher switches to full-back, Paul Curran moves to the left corner, with Conor O’Brien the player to lose out and drop to the bench. The full-back position posed difficulties for Tipperary during the first half of their Munster final triumph over Waterford, with Curran replaced midway through by Brendan Maher and Padraic Maher moving to the problematic full-back position.

Sheedy resisted the temptation to hand the no.3 jersey to former All Star full-back Declan Fanning, with Maher, who won man-of-the-match awards at full-back in the 2006 All-Ireland minor final and the 2008 All-Ireland U21 final, entrusted with the responsibility of manning the edge of the square. Elsewhere John O’Brien and Eoin Kelly have shaken off hamstring and back injuries respectively to take their places in attack.