Walsh looks cool for Cats

KILKENNY have made a single but significant change for tomorrow’s Leinster Senior Hurling Championship final, recalling former Hurler of the Year Tommy Walsh in defence.

The Tullaroan man missed the Cats’ Allianz League final defeat to Dublin in early May with a shoulder injury and was held back for their Leinster semi-final defeat to Wexford.

But he’s shown no ill-effects after resuming full training and has been recalled for what will be the fourth, but by far most important, meeting of Dublin and Kilkenny this season.

Walsh replaces Paddy Hogan and takes up a customary wing position in the half-back line.

It’s the only change from the side that defeated Wexford though, in the context of the 12-point league final defeat, the side named last night shows five alterations.

Walsh, Paul Murphy, Michael Fennelly, Richie Power and Henry Shefflin effectively replace Hogan, John Dalton, James Fitzpatrick, Michael Ruth and Eddie Brennan in what is a full strength line-up.

Dublin are unbeaten against Kilkenny from three meetings this year, winning twice, though key Cats trio Walsh, Shefflin and Power didn’t play in any of those previous games due to long-term injuries.

The Dubs have made two enforced changes for the Croke Park decider with Joey Boland and Simon Lambert both earning recalls.

Centre-back Boland returns after a shoulder injury sustained in the league final win and indirectly replaces Tomas Brady, who pulled up with a knee injury in the semi-final defeat of Galway.

The versatile Peter Kelly retains his position at full-back where he deputised so impressively following Brady’s early withdrawal.

Boss Anthony Daly has resisted the temptation to start Liam Rushe at centre-back after his man-of-the-match showing when moved there against Galway, instead starting Boland at number six and keeping Rushe at midfield.

Lambert comes in at wing-forward for Tipperary man O’Dwyer who is suspended after his red card dismissal in Tullamore.

Meanwhile, Peter Vickery has been drafted into the forward line of the Kilkenny minors who also face Dublin in tomorrow’s underage final.

Conahy Shamrocks man Vickery replaced Robert Moran in their 2-19 to 2-13 semi-final win over Wexford and is retained in boss Adrian Ronan’s only change.

Opposing Dublin manager Shay Boland has stuck with the same 15 that defeated Westmeath 1-16 to 2-7 last weekend.