Daire Quinn and Dan McCormack to make Tipperary debuts against Dublin

Michael Ryan includes Noel McGrath for first start since recovery from cancer

Michael Ryan's first Tipperary team as manager features two players making their debut in Saturday's opening weekend of the Allianz Hurling League. The side to play Dublin in Thurles sees Daire Quinn from Nenagh, prominent in the club's run to last year's county final, lining out at centrefield and Dan McCormack of Borris-Ileigh at right wing forward.

McCormack is a Fitzgibbon Cup medallist with UCC and also played on the Borris-Ileigh team that won the Kilmacud Sevens last September. Tipperary haven’t won the league for eight years.

After recovering from cancer last year Noel McGrath makes his first starting appearance for the county since the 2015 league. He is accompanied in the full forwards by his brother John.

Ryan also has injury concerns with 2015 Hurler of the Year nominee Séamus Callanan out injured with a fractured finger. Also missing for a number of weeks are Conor O'Brien and Kieran Bergin whereas new panellist Seán Curran will miss the whole league with a medial ligament injury.

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TIPPERARY (AHL v Dublin): D Gleeson; C Barrett, T Hammill, M Cahill; B Maher (capt), J Barry, P Maher; M Breen, D Quinn; D McCormack, Patrick Maher, J Forde; N McGrath, C Kenny, J McGrath.

Subs: D Mooney, R Maher, W Ryan, L Ryan, J Meagher, J Gallagher, A Ryan, D Fitzelle, S Ryan, A Coffey, J O'Dwyer.

KERRY (AHL v Laois): M Stackpoole; S Weir, B Murphy, K Carmody; D Collins, D Dineen, T Murnane; P Kelly, T Casey; S Nolan, M O'Leary, C Harty; J Egan, M Boyle, J Goulding.

Subs: A McCabe, B Brosnan, J Buckley, M Milner, J Conway, J Diggins, D Fitzelle, J Griffin, P Lucid, J O'Connor, B O'Leary.

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times