Brendan Maher retains Tipperary captaincy

Brendan Maher has retained the captaincy of the Tipperary senior hurling team and will lead the Premier County once again in 2015.

Borris-Ileigh clubman Maher took over the captaincy of the team last year and played a pivotal role at wing-back as Tipperary made it all the way to the All-Ireland final before losing to Kilkenny in a replay.

Fellow defender Pádraic Maher has been promoted to vice-captain, taking over from Noel McGrath, who held the position last year.

Tipperary get their 2015 campaign underway on Friday night when they face Mary I in the opening round of the Waterford Crystal Cup. However, manager Eamon O'Shea's plans for the start of the season have been hit by injuries to two key defenders.

James Barry and Michael Cahill have both been ruled out of the entire Allianz League with hip injuries.

Upperchurch's Barry has already undergone hip surgery and is due back in training in March, while Cahill is expected to go under the knife next month to remedy a similar problem.

Meanwhile, Tipperary have made a number of additions to their panel. John Meagher, Michael Breen and Bill Maher have made the step-up from last year's extended panel, while David Butler, Liam Treacy, John McGrath, Seán Maher and Joe O'Dwyer are new additions.

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