Mary Ryan (centre) has committed to the Tipperary senior camogie panel for a 20th successive campaign. She is pictured being presented with her certificate by Michael Madden, left, and GPA chief executive officer Tom Parsons after graduating from the Jim Madden GPA Leadership Programme at Maynooth University.Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Devane opts out for now as Slattery is dropped from Tipp Senior Camogie panel

Tipperary senior camogie manager Denis Kelly has named a 33 player panel for the upcoming Very Ireland National League.

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By Shane Brophy

The most eye-catching omission is star forward Cait Devane who isn’t part of the league panel as she is due to get married next month. However, Denis Kelly is hopeful the All-Star forward will return in for the championship which gets underway in May.

Also, not part of the panel is former All-Star goalkeeper Aine Slattery who has been dropped. With Caoimhe Bourke still ruled out with a cruciate knee injury, it leaves a considerable void in terms of goalkeeper with Borris-Ileigh’s Nicole Walsh, returning to the squad after a number of years away, earmarked for that position, as well as last years minor goalkeeper Molly O’Dwyer.

O’Dwyer is one of three players from last years minors drafted into the senior squad, along with her Moycarkey/Borris clubmate Kate Ralph and Shannon Rovers Celine Guinan.

Fourteen clubs are represented with 23 players retained from last years panel with Moneygall’s Mary Ryan also committing to a 20th campaign while Jean Kelly has been rewarded for a superb campaign with the juniors last year with a recall.

Niamh Treacy and Nenagh’s Grace O’Brien won’t feature in the league due to injury but remain in their plans for the championship.

Tipperary begin the national league division 1 campaign on Saturday 17th February at home to Waterford who ended their dreams of reaching an All-Ireland final last year.

The following Saturday, 24th February, Tipperary will host Galway, followed by a weekend off, before travelling to All-Ireland champions Cork on March 9th for round 3. They will have another weekend break before hosting travelling to Kilkenny on March 23rd, and will complete their group campaign with a trip to Clare on 30th March. The top two teams will progress to the league final on Sunday 14th April.

As part of the build-up to the start of the National League, Tipperary will host Cork in a Benefit Game for young Paddy Duffy which takes place this Friday, 2nd February, under the lights in Borrisoleigh at 7.30pm

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