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.