Tipp senior star O'Donoghue absent from U20 for Clare test

O'Donoghue had started the Tipperary U20 side's victories over Cork and Waterford

Oisín O'Donoghue was Tipperary's star performer in their Munster SHC defeat to Cork. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

With Tipperary’s survival in the Munster SHC heavily dependent on victory at Walsh Park this Sunday, Oisín O’Donoghue has been pulled from the county’s U20 side for Wednesday’s round-robin game against Clare (Thurles, 7pm).

O’Donoghue was Tipperary’s outstanding performer in last Sunday’s defeat to Cork. Wearing No.5, but operating at half-forward, he assisted 0-3, was fouled for three converted frees, and struck two from play.

O’Donoghue started both of Tipperary's U20 wins to date, over Cork and Waterford respectively, but will be absent for the fixture where the reigning Munster champions can seal progression to the knockout phase.

Stefan Tobin, who made his senior championship debut against Cork, has been named at full-forward for the U20s. Cathal O’Reilly, who saw plenty of game-time for Liam Cahill’s side during the League but was not part of Sunday’s matchday panel, is at corner-back for Brendan Cummins’ U20s.

Tipp's starting line-up, released on Wednesday morning, shows O’Donoghue’s absence is one of three changes from the side that scraped past Waterford on April 1.

Adam, Charlie, and Robbie Ryan come into the team at half-back, half-forward, and corner-forward respectively. Dropping out are O’Donoghue, Jake Donelan Houlihan, and Eoghan Doughan.

A victory for Clare would also guarantee their place in the knockout phase of the Munster U20 HC.

CLARE: M Sheedy (Sixmilebridge); E Gunning (Broadford), R Loftus (Éire Óg), J Casey (Kilmaley); J Moylan (Cratloe), R Hayes (Ruan), M O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge); D Costelloe (Ballyea), G Ball (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield); M Collins (Clonlara), R Kilroy (Banner), F Hegarty (Inagh/Kilnamona); S Boyce (O’Callaghans Mills), T O’Connor (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), P Rodgers (Scariff).

TIPPERARY: P McCormack (Moneygall); C O’Reilly (Holycross-Ballycahill), E Morris (Holycross-Ballycahill), D Ryan (Arravale Rovers); A Ryan (Arravale Rovers), S Rowan (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone), E Murray (Thurles Sarsfields); T Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), S Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs); C Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla), J Ormond (JK Brackens), D Costigan (Moycarkey Borris); R Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), S Tobin (Carrick Swan), C Fitzpatrick (Drom Inch).