Carroll makes a surprise return for Tipp

TIPPERARY have made three changes from the side that defeated Clare last weekend for next Monday’s Allianz National Hurling League final with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny at Croke Park.

Noel Morris replaces Aidan Butler at midfield; John Carroll takes over the right half forward position from Mark O’Leary and Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady, who was cleared by Croke Park to play, is preferred at full forward to Eugene O’Neill.

Team captain Brian O’Meara and 2001 Allstar Eddie Enright have recovered from injury and are listed in the substitutes along with Butler, O’Leary and O’Neill.

The big surprise is the selection of right half forward John Carroll. He received a back injury early in the competition and was not expected to be back until the championship. But Carroll has confounded medical opinion with a dramatic return to full fitness.

Kilkenny, who will be seeking a second successive league title, were also due to announce their team last night but have deferred selection until today. However, right corner back Michael Kavanagh and corner forward DJ Carey, both of whom missed last weekend’s draw with Wexford because of injury, are expected to be named.

Kavanagh broke a finger in the game against Cork but will play despite being advised by his doctor to wait another week or two before resuming. Carey, who wrenched his neck in training last week is reported to be fit.

But the big ‘if’ concerning Kilkenny is whether or not team captain Charlie Carter will be included in the starting line-up. The mercurial Carter has been left on the bench for the last number of matches but manager Brian Cody insists there has been no falling out. If Carter is not recalled Carey will take over the captaincy.

Like Tipperary full forward O’Grady, the Kilkenny duo of Henry Shefflin and Philip Larkin have been cleared to play.

All three appeared before the GAC at Croke Park on Wednesday on foot of a video viewing of the counties’ clash in the preliminary rounds of the competition. The GAC found they had no case to answer.

TIPPERARY (SH v Kilkenny): B Cummins; M Maher, P Maher, B Dunne; B Horgan, D. Kennedy, P Kelly; T Dunne, N Morris; J Carroll, C Gleeson, L Cahill; E Kelly, G O'Grady, L Corbett.