Kilkenny know the drill: They get the verdict

For Tipperary, the parallels between 2011 and this season don’t have to be drawn: they can’t but smack you in the face. 

Never mind a facile Munster championship, much like Dublin in that year’s All-Ireland semi-final, it could be argued Galway were the better team despite being on the losing side. Tipperary on both occasions were second best in the air and if they are again today then Kilkenny will make hay. But unlike the 2011 (TJ Reid), 2012 (Colin Fennelly), ’14 (Henry Shefflin) and ’15 (Richie Power) finals, Kilkenny don’t appear to have anyone coming off the bench capable of causing chaos. Power had no right to see action in last year’s final but Cody appreciated his impact. In nature as well as reputation, Power could make a difference. Looking at their bench now and is John Power the closest they have to a potential match-winner in reserve?

Tipperary aren’t exactly blessed with awesome auxiliaries themselves hence the good points made during the week about keeping John O’Dwyer in reserve although Jason Forde has come off the bench in the past and contributed. Turning 23 at the end of the year, former under-age star Forde should have had a breakthrough performance by now. Today provides with the opportunity to announce himself but will he take it?