The extraordinary work put in by counties could be to blame for the growing number of inter-county players bringing their careers to a premature end, Jimmy Barry-Murphy has speculated.

Declan Ryan is hopeful Lar Corbett will return to the Tipperary senior hurling panel but he admits the decision is not his to make.

Clare defender Pat Vaughan has undergone surgery to repair a long standing hip injury and is preparing for a long road back to fitness.

Dan Shanahan has warned Tipperary will struggle to replace Lar Corbett following his shock retirement.

Former Galway hurler Ollie Canning has expressed his shock at Lar Corbett's decision to retire from inter-county hurling.

John Mullane has confirmed he is taking a break from inter-county hurling but he has denied reports that he is to announce his retirement.

John Mullane's Waterford future is in doubt after the All-Star decided to take an indefinite break from inter-county hurling.

Allianz have committed to supporting the National Hurling and Football Leagues for a further three years until 2015.

Dublin's Alan McCrabbe is quietly confident that he will play some part against either Cork or Kilkenny in the Allianz Hurling League.

Galway begin their Allianz Hurling League campaign on February 26 against reigning champions Dublin and Joe Canning is under no illusion as to the importance of hitting the ground running.