O’Dwyer wins fitness battle as Tipperary ring changes in defence

JOHN ‘BUBBLES’ O’DWYER has won his race to be fit for Tipperary’s clash with Limerick tomorrow, but manager Eamon O’Shea has made four changes to the side that lost their League semi-final against Waterford.

O’Dwyer had been a doubt following an ankle injury picked up on a recent training camp, but the Killenaule man has been deemed ready to face the Treaty men at the Gaelic Grounds.

Tipp have made sweeping changes at the back following that defeat in the Division 1 semi-final, with James Barry, Conor O’Brien and Kieran Bergin named to start at the expense of Paul Curran, Conor O’Mahony and Michael Breen. There is also no place in the starting XV for Lar Corbett.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny have, as expected, named skipper Joey Holden at full-back for their Leinster semi-final against Wexford as Brian Cody looks to experience.

Jackie Tyrrell, Conor Fogarty and Eoin Larkin have been brought back into the side following the relegation play- off win over Clare, while Padraig Walsh and Ger Aylward also make the grade.

Shane Prendergast, Joe Lyng, Matthew Ruth and Jonjo Farrell have to be satisfied with seats on the bench.

SPLITTING

A hand injury to Jason Flynn has forced Galway manager Anthony Cunningham into splitting up his deadly full-forward line for this afternoon’s Leinster hurling semi-final against Laois.

The Tommy Larkins man broke a finger in training and is replaced by Niall Healy for his first Championship start since a cruciate ligament injury.

The only other change from Galway’s replayed victory over Dublin two weeks ago is the introduction of David Burke in place of Joseph Cooney.

Despite his side hitting an impressive 29 points in victory against Offaly, Laois boss Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett has made two changes up front.

PJ Scully and Ben Conroy come in, with Stephen ‘ Picky’ Maher and Dwayne Palmer dropping out.

Tom Shiel makes way for Paul Kingston for the Laois footballers, while opponents Antrim have made four changes.