Kilkenny keep cards close to their chests

ALL-IRELAND hurling champions Kilkenny are taking a leaf out of Clare's book and will not finalise their team for Saturday's quarter-final replay at Semple Stadium, Thurles until just before the start.

Manager Brian Cody will have a full squad to pick from even though outstanding goalkeeper James McGarry picked up a leg injury in last weekend's absorbing battle.

However, there is speculation Cody will move Tommy Walsh from a defensive to an offensive position this time.

A star wing forward, he scored three scintillating points in last season's All-Ireland final while Walsh was absolutely brilliant in his defensive role against Galway in this year's All-Ireland qualifier. However, he found the going tough against a physically stronger Niall Gilligan in last Sunday's drawn epic.

Walsh was booked for a foul on Gilligan in the 30th minute and when he hauled down the same opponent in the square five minutes into the second half he was shown red. .

Apart from losing his individual tussle with Gilligan, Walsh could be switched to attack because, apart from Henry Shefflin, a number of the Kilkenny forwards failed to hit the high-spots. If Walsh is given a new role, his obvious replacement at corner back would appear to be former Allstar Michael Kavanagh.

A teak-tough defender, Kavanagh suffered a dip in form this season and has been unable to command a starting place since being substituted in the Leinster final defeat to Wexford.

Most people agree Clare manager Anthony Daly won the tactical battle last weekend by playing Alan Markham as sweeper and operating with just two front-runners in attack. It will be interesting to see if Brian Cody will have something up his sleeve on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Cathal Ryan, looks set to receive his call up papers when Mick O'Dwyer names his side tomorrow night to face Tyrone in Sunday's final qualifier at Croke Park.

With Joe Higgins ruled out with severe ligament trouble and Colm Byrne, like centre forward Mick Lawlor, on the missing list, Ryan is expected to be drafted in to shore up the weakened Laois defence.

Other players in line for promotion are Donal Miller, Padraig Mcmahon, Tom McDonald and Patrick Conway, brother of team captain Chris.

Meanwhile Croke Park is likely to have a full house for Sunday's Bank of Ireland All-Ireland SFC qualifiers between Laois and Tyrone and Dublin and Roscommon. A limited number of tickets will go on sale at the Ticket Office in Croke Park this morning from 11 am to 7pm. Tickets are also available through the County Boards involved and on general sale today from Parnell Park. All family tickets have been issued to the participating counties and there will be no family tickets on sale from Croke Park.

It is confirmed that tickets are required for the New Stand only in Thurles for Saturday's Guinness All-Ireland SHC replay between Clare and Kilkenny. Tickets have been distributed to the participating counties. Admission to all other areas is by cash payment at the stiles on the day.