TIPPERARY BOSS DECLAN RYAN has rung the changes ahead of Sunday’s National Hurling League opener against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park.
A combination of injury, retirement and rotation means that only seven of the team which started last September’s All-Ireland final defeat against the Cats retain their places.
Corner-back Donagh Maher and wing-forward Adrian Ryan come into the side to make their league debuts for the Premier. Maher is the brother of Shane, who lines out at wing-back on Sunday, while Ryan is a first cousin of wing-forward Gearóid Ryan.
Seamus Callanan and Patrick “Bonner” Maher are still sidelined by injury.
Meanwhile, Anthony Cunningham has added a new twist to a winning formula for his first league game in charge of the Galway senior hurlers.
Cunningham has named eight of the side which he managed to an All-Ireland U21 title last year in his starting XV for the visit of Division 1 champions Dublin to Pearse Stadium.
Turloughmore veteran Fergal Moore captains the side from centre back.
Tipperary (NHL v Kilkenny): Darren Gleeson; Donagh Maher, Paul Curran (c), Michael Cahill; Shane Maher, Conor O’Mahony, Padraic Maher; Brendan Maher, David Young; Gearóid Ryan, Noel McGrath, Adrian Ryan, Pa Bourke, Brian O’Meara, John O’Brien.
Galway (NHL v Dublin): James Skehill; Deci Connolly, David Collins, Ger O’ Halloran; Tony Og Regan, Fergal Moore (c), Niall Donoghue; David Burke, Cyril Donnelan; Conor Cooney, Niall Burke, Iarlaith Tannian; Damian Hayes, Barry Daly, James Regan.