Division 1B hurling previews

Tipperary host Wexford in Division 1B of the National Hurling League today and boss Ken Hogan has made three changes to the side that defeated Limerick last time out.

Sun, 13 Mar, 2005 - 10:37

Division 1B

Tipperary host Wexford in Division 1B of the National Hurling League today and boss Ken Hogan has made three changes to the side that defeated Limerick last time out.

Captain Benny Dunne returns at wing-forward following his absence due to club commitments with Toomevara, replacing Donal Shelly.

Martin Maher comes into the defence instead of Hugh Moloney and Paddy O'Brien is selected at left corner-forward to the exclusion of Seamus Butler.

Wexford boss Seamus Murphy has made three changes to his side from the starting line-up that lost to Cork.

Declan Ruth returns after recovering from a hamstring injury to make an unusual switch to full-back, deputising for the injured Doc O'Connor.

Malachy Travers makes his first start this year after shaking off a shoulder injury, and replaces John O'Connor, who has upcoming exams.

David O'Brien comes in at full-forward for Mitch Jordan, who is unavailable this weekend.

Meanwhile, new Limerick manager Joe McKenna will be hoping his side can pick up their first points of the campaign as they host Down at the Gaelic Grounds.

The team shows five changes in all from the side that lost to Tipperary last time out.

Former skipper Mark Foley returns to the defence instead of Michael Cahill, as does Paudie O'Dwyer, who impressed when introduced as a substitute last time out. He replaces Pat Sheehan.

Seanie O'Connor and Donnacha Sheehan come into the attack for John Paul Sheehan and Andrew O'Shaughnessy - the Kilmallock club man is unavailable.

LIMERICK (SH v Down): G O'Connell; D Reale, TJ Ryan, M Foley; P O'Dwyer, O Moran, B Geary; P O'Grady, D O'Grady; A O'Connor, J O'Brien, N Moran; D Ryan, S O'Connor, D Sheehan.

TIPPERARY (SH v Wexford) B Cummins; M Maher, P Maher, P Curran; D Fanning, D Kennedy, E Corcoran; C Morrissey, T Slevin; M O'Leary, F Devanney, B Dunne; E Sweeney, M Webster, P O'Brien.

WEXFORD (SH v Tipperary): D Fitzhenry; C Kehoe, D Ruth, K Rossiter; M Travers, D Stamp, D Lyng; E Quigley, M Jacob; P Carley, W Doran, N Higgins; R Barry, D O'Brien, D Mythen.