NEWS ROUND-UP: THE TIPPERARY team to play Kilkenny in the National Hurling League semi-final at Nowlan Park on Sunday shows two changes from the side which defeated Waterford in last week's quarter-final.

Benny Dunne comes in at midfield as James Woodlock moves to the half-forward line, Tommy Fitzgerald is introduced at full forward, with Lar Corbett moving to the corner. John O'Brien and Pa Bourke drop to the bench.

Louth defender Jamie Carr has failed in his bid to secure a transfer from Newtown Blues to Dublin outfit St Sylvester's. The Drogheda club lodged an objection to Carr's proposed move, and the transfer request was turned down by the Leinster Council at a meeting earlier this week.

It is understood Newtown Blues' executive based their case on the claim Carr was not living in Dublin, and so was not entitled to move to the Malahide club. The Blues senior team management team did not oppose the player's transfer. "There is no point in holding on to a player against his will," said a source.

But the club's executive took a different view, claiming Carr was still living in the Yellowbatter area of Drogheda, and so wasn't eligible to play for a Dublin club.

Meanwhile, the GAA have confirmed the pairings and dates for the Cadbury All-Ireland Under-21 football championship. Mayo earned their place at the penultimate stage thanks to the 1-14 to 0-14 win over Roscommon in Kiltoom on Wednesday evening.

Mayo will play Munster champions Kerry in Nenagh (3.30) on Saturday week, April 19th. On the same day Leinster champions Kildare take on Ulster kingpins Down at Páirc Tailteann in Navan with the throw-in at 5pm.

TIPPERARY(SH v Kilkenny) - B Cummins); E Buckley, P Curran, C O'Brien); E Corcoran, C O'Mahony, SMaher; B Dunne, S McGrath; S Butler), R O'Dwyer, J Woodlock; E Kelly, T Fitzgerald, L Corbett.