Premier gear up for title defence

Reigning Munster and All-Ireland champions Tipperary can call upon just three starters from last year’s All-Ireland final replay win over Dublin as they begin their Munster MHC campaign with a quarter-final against Waterford at Walsh Park tonight (throw-in 7pm).

Right half-back Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg), midfielder Tom Fox of Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill and Toomevara’s Mark McCarthy at corner-forward are the only survivors for William Maher’s side.

The Déise side features four players who won All-Ireland colleges medals with Dungarvan Colleges as they Kilkenny CBS last Saturday, with Dungarvan duo Kevin Daly and Patrick Curran named at right half-back and right corner-forward respectively, Bunmahon’s Micheál Harney left half-back and All-Ireland-winning captain Tom Devine (Modeligo) at midfield.