Galway face up to Cats' challenge in Semple

Three years ago, Kilkenny lined up against Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Kilkenny were defending champions and favourites to progress to another final. The Cats were unexpectedly and soundly beaten.

The sides lock horns again today at Semple Stadium as Kilkenny manager Brian Cody attempts to get his bid for three All-Ireland titles in a row back on track.

The Cats' boss has made two changes to the side that crushed Dublin by 26 points for today's showdown.

U21 star Conor Phelan makes his senior championship debut at left half-forward, replacing Aidan Fogarty. In the defence, James Ryall is selected ahead of Allstar Michael Kavanagh at right corner-back, instead of Mark Phelan, who damaged tendons in his hand.

Tullaroan youngster Tommy Walsh is again named at left corner-back while Ken Coogan partners Derek Lyng in the middle of the park. DJ Carey is named at full-forward, flanked by Eddie Brennan and Jimmy Coogan.

Meanwhile, Galway coach Conor Hayes named an unchanged side from that which beat Down in their opening All-Ireland qualifer for today's game. The only change from that team sees David Tierney come in for Adrian Cullinane.

Fourteen of the team started the National League final against Waterford, which the Tribesmen went on to win.

While Kilkenny have DJ Carey, Galway have their own lethal weapon in full-forward Eugene Cloonan. The Galway marksman can be as effective as his opposite number and possibly more so.

Kevin Broderick has also matured and is focused and sharp - the diminutive corner-forward could prove a thorn in Kilkenny's side, especially considering the Cats' full-back line could not contain Wexford's flying forwards last time out.

This is Kilkenny's first time taking part in the new qualifying series. When they lost the Leinster final

to Wexford in 1997 they had to take on Galway who they met in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

That game turned out to be a classic encounter at Thurles with Kilkenny winning by 4-15 to 1-16 on a day when Carey scored 2-8 for the Cats while Broderick got 1-4 for Galway.

GALWAY (SH v Kilkenny): L Donoghue; D Joyce, D Cloonan, O Canning; D Hardiman, D Hayes, F Moore; F Healy, T Regan; A Kerins, D Forde, D Tierney; D Hayes, E Cloonan, K Broderick.

KILKENNY (SH v Galway): J McGarry; J Ryall, N Hickey, T Walsh; R Mulally, P Barry, JJ Delaney; D Lyng, K Coogan; M Comerford, H Shefflin, C Phelan; E Brennan, DJ Carey, J Coogan.