1.
Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons) It is fair to say that Sean Ryan has probably been the standout forward at club level in Tipperary over the past two or three years. He has amassed huge tallies and class performances for Templederry Kenyons and he is slowly starting to transfer that form and ability to the Tipperary effort. He had a mixed 2023 in which he started a few games but he was primarily used as a substitute, but the nature of his performance against Waterford in the Munster Hurling League in early January would suggest he could be about to make his mark on this team. Granted, it is barely above the intensity of a challenge game at this level, but Ryan looked so sharp and hit 1-12 which included 1-3 from play and he has become such an assured finisher. A prolonged effort to try and make this a regular performance for Ryan will be needed over the course of the league to see if he can add consistency, but he has the tools to do so.
2.
Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) Currently in the throes of Fitzgibbon Cup action with UCC, he has been used sparingly by Liam Cahill in the pre-season games to date, but Stakelum is a player who could make an immediate impact in his first year on the panel. His displays for Thurles Sarsfields in last year's run to the county final were sensational and he showed his versatility, operating as an inside forward to good effect, despite being an impressive Tipperary U20 at midfield in recent years. He has the work rate, attitude, and hurling to make a telling impact on the squad in some fashion and it would be interesting to see if he can make a mark so early inside in the camp.
3.
Sean Kenneally (Moneygall) One of the shining lights of Tipperary's poor U20 campaign last year, Moneygall man Kenneally looks like another solid forward option for Liam Cahill to make use of in this year's league campaign. Kenneally is another player who is featuring in third-level action with TUS Midwest currently, but his appearances so far in the Munster Hurling League, coming on against Waterford and notching two lovely points before hitting four points from play in the win over Kerry in Nenagh. He certainly has the hurling ability and skill for this level, but he does look like he needs to get to the conditioning level required to operate in a Liam Cahill and Mikey Bevans team, and with matches and training underway he might just be one to look out for.
4.
Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens) A player who was always a firm favourite of Liam Cahill during his underage days, a combination of, covid, injury, and just downright bad luck has stunted Andrew Ormond's progression to senior level with Tipperary. However, he looks like he is taking his chance at this early stage with a few notable performances, particularly in last weekend's charity game for the Dillon Quirke Foundation against Limerick. Obviously, there will be tougher games for Ormond to play in over the next few weeks, but he was the standout player, hitting 1-3 and setting up John McGrath's goal. He left a lot of scores behind him which is something that was highlighted by Liam Cahill in the post-match interviews, but he was getting onto a lot of possession and he has a real eye for goal, something which has been bred into him from his underage days by the current boss. A player to watch.