Cats and Deise in battle for final spot

Neighbours and great rivals Kilkenny and Waterford go head to head in the first of the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals at Croke Park today.

The sides last met in a semi-final back in 1998 when Kilkenny won by a point.

Cats manager Brian Cody has left the selection of his side to the last minute to allow All Star centre-forward Henry Shefflin enough time to recover from an eye injury sustained in last week's quarter-final replay victory over Clare.

Shefflin went off 13 minutes from time after he clashed with the Banner's Gerry Quinn and was admitted to hospital shortly afterwards.

Otherwise, the Cats have no injuries to report and following his display last week on his recall, Michael Kavanagh should get the nod to start against the Decies, while Tommy Walsh looks set to remain in defence.

The Munster champions have made two changes to the side that defeated Cork in the provincial final for today's clash.

Regular keeper Stephen Brenner has been dropped to the bench in favour of Ian O'Regan. The Mount Sion man has been outstanding for his club and the county U21s in recent seasons.

O'Regan's U21 colleague, Shane O'Sullivan, has also been given the nod to start at left wing-forward.

The Ballygunner man's call-up was an enforced change as boss Justin McCarthy reshuffled his attack to accommodate the loss of All Star attacker John Mullane.

Mullane incurred a one-match suspension following his Munster final dismissal against Cork.

Declan Prendergast continues to get the nod over veteran Tom Feeney at full-back and James Murray and Eoin Murphy make up the last line of defence.

The half-back line of Brian Phelan, Ken McGrath and Tony Browne, and the midfield partnership of Dave Bennett and Michael Walsh continue to hold sway.

Seamas Prendergast has been chosen to lead the attack, with O'Sullivan and Eoin Kelly flanking him.

Eoin McGrath moves to Mullane's corner-forward position, with Paul Flynn on the other wing. Dan Shanahan, scorer of six championship goals this campaign, is named at full-forward.

The sides last met in the opening round of the National League this year and Waterford began their campaign with a two-point win at Nowlan Park in February.

Waterford will be looking to avenge their 1998 semi-final defeat, and four players from that day take to the field today - Tony Browne, Dan Shanahan, Ken McGrath and Paul Flynn - while two of Kilkenny's certain starters - Peter Barry and DJ Carey - were also part of the Cats' line-up six years ago.

The sides have had varying paths to the semi-final - Waterford have had a six-week lay-off since their Munster final win - while Kilkenny, courtesy of the qualifier route, will be playing on their third consecutive weekend.

Boss Cody reckons this will not be a disadvantage in any way, while McCarthy believes the lay-off has given his side a chance to take stock and conserve their energy for today.

The All-Ireland champions are two games away from the three in a row, while it's a case of now-or-never for Waterford as they look to get past the semi-final hurdle that they have fallen short of in recent seasons.

WATERFORD (SH v Kilkenny): I O'Regan; E Murphy, D Prendergast, J Murray; B Phelan, K McGrath, T Browne; D Bennett, M Walsh; E Kelly, S Prendergast, S O'Sullivan; E McGrath, D Shanahan, P Flynn.