Tipp's Connolly to make championship bow

Edward Connolly is to make his championship debut for the Tipperary footballers in Saturday's All-Ireland qualifier against Longford (Pearse Park, throw-in 7pm).

The Loughmore-Castleiney clubman will start at right half-back. The 22-year-old Connolly is highly regarded in Premier county circles and will hope to combat a Longford half-forward line which includes the dangerous duo of Trevor Smullen and Paul Barden.

Tipp manager Seamus McCarthy has made two enforced changes to the side that lost to Kerry in the Munster SFC semi-final earlier in the month.

A hamstring injury has ruled Peter King out so Cian Maher will take on the full-back duties with Connolly coming in on the right flank.

The fit-again Niall Fitzgerald returns at centre-back with the injured Eamonn Hanrahan (ankle) making way. Both King and Hanrahan are fit enough to be named amongst the substitutes.

Historically, Tipperary, the reigning Tommy Murphy Cup champions, struggle in the qualifiers. Their defeat of Carlow in 2003 remains their only win in five qualifier outings since 2001.

TIPPERARY (SFC v Longford) - P Fitzgerald; M Phelan (capt), C Maher, A Morrissey; E Connolly, N Fitzgerald, R Costigan; K Mulryan, M Peters; P Austin, D O’Brien, B Lacey; B Mulvihill, D Browne, B Hickey.