Laois team fully fit for Butler

Laois manager Paudie Butler has had the luxury of being able to pick a fully fit team for today's visit to Ennis for the National Hurling League Division 1A opener against Clare.

Butler has blended youth with experience, the latter of which is supplied by the likes of Pakie Cuddy, James Young and Damien Culleton.

Clare boss Anthony Daly will not name his side for the clash until just before throw-in to give full-back Brian Lohan a chance of recovering from injury and due to the involvement of four panellists in Fitzgibbon Cup action.

However, ace attacker Tony Griffin has been flown home from Canada for today's clash. The forward is studying Sports Science in Nova Scotia, but returned on Friday.

LAOIS (SH v Clare): P Mullaney; B Campion, P Cuddy, L Tynan; J Fitzpatrick, S Dwyer, M McEvoy; J Young, J Walsh; C Coonan, D Walsh, E Browne; D Culleton, R Jones, P Russell.