Tipp tackle Cats with unchanged line-up

LIAM SHEEDY has named an unchanged side for this Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final against Killkenny – and yet one that differs considerably to the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.

Michael Cahill, Gearoid Ryan and Patrick Maher all find themselves named in a senior All-Ireland final line-up for the very first time with James Woodlock, Pat Kerwick and Seamus Callanan the men missing from the 2009 decider. The former trio carry an average age of just 21.

Kerwick, who recently returned from injury for a challenge match, and Callanan, who appeared as a substitute in the semi-final, may yet feature at some point although long-term injury has forced Woodlock to sit out the entire campaign.