Veteran Brennan earns recall as Reid out

EDDIE BRENNAN has been recalled to the Kilkenny team for tomorrow’s All-Ireland final, with TJ Reid losing out.

After appearing as a substitute twice this summer, the Graigue-Ballycallan veteran makes his first championship start since last year’s final defeat to Tipperary.

Reid had been replaced by Paddy Hogan at half-time in last month’s All-Ireland semi-final victory over Waterford and was also substituted during the second half of the Leinster final after failing to score.

Colin Fennelly, who damaged his hamstring playing for club Ballyhale Shamrocks last month, has also been named in the team.

His brother and Kilkenny midfielder Michael had said his younger sibling needed a miracle to be right in time for the game but has been included in the starting line-up.

Brennan has been positioned at right-half forward with Michael Rice pushing back to the midfield place vacated by Reid.

Brian Hogan captains the side from centre-back with Henry Shefflin selected at wing-forward where he started against Waterford with the No 14 jersey on his back.

Eoin Larkin, who has been played at the edge of the square for most of the season, has been positioned at full-forward.

Aidan Fogarty has been named on the bench after making a complete recovery from the broken leg he sustained in the league game against Offaly in April.

Despite being named on the bench for the All-Ireland semi-final, there’s no room for Kieran Joyce among the auxiliaries.

Subs: PJ Ryan (Fenians), M Kavanagh (St Lachtains), J Dalton (Carrickshock), P Hogan (Danesfort), C Fogarty (Erin’s Own), J ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick (Ballyhale Shamrocks), TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), J Mulhall (St Martin’s), M Ruth (James Stephens), A Fogarty (Emeralds), R Doyle (Barrow Rangers).

Picture: EDDIE BRENNAN: played in last year’s final against Tipp.