Toomevara and Mt Sion look to make amends

Waterford champions Mount Sion take on Tipperary kingpins Toomevara in today's Munster club hurling final at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

The Decies side disposed of Ahane (Limerick) and Kilmaley (Clare) to book their place in today's final, while Tipperary fought off the challenges of Kilmoyley (Kerry) and Na Piarsaigh (Cork) to earn their berth.

Mount Sion, provincial champions two years ago, have their eye on a bigger prize - the All-Ireland club title. They were shocked by Dunloy of Antrim in the semi-final two years ago and are determined to go a step further this year.

Meanwhile, Toomevara are also keen to make amends. They have been the dominant force in Tipperary hurling for more than a decade, but have failed to translate that into provincial success.

Their last Munster final appearance was six years ago, when they lost to Clare representatives St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield.

Mount Sion lost former inter-county star Michael White during the Ahane game, when he sustained a fractured jaw, but there are enough current county stars to see them through.

County panellist Eoin McGrath has recovered from a finger injury to take his place in the Mount Sion line-up today, in a side that shows one change from the semi-final win over Kilmaley.

Eoin's brother, Roy, returns to the full-forward line in place of Barry Browne, with Brian Greene moving to the corner to accommodate him.

Waterford goalkeeper Ian O'Regan takes his place between the posts, Tony Browne lines out at centre-back, Ken McGrath is at midfield, Eoin Kelly is in the half-forward line and Sean Ryan, who has scored five goals in the provincial series, takes his place at corner-forward.

Meanwhile, Toomevara have a few famous names of their own, including Tommy Dunne, who led Tipperary to their last All-Ireland senior title.

Full-back Tony Delaney, Dunne's brothers Terry, Benny and Kenny and corner-forward Willie Ryan have also impressed along the way.

However, corner-forward Ryan remains a doubt after damaging a hamstring in the semi-final.

MOUNT SION (SH v Toomevara): I O’Regan; J O’Meara, A Kirwan (captain), K Flynn; B Flannery, T Browne, K Stafford; K McGrath, F O’Shea; E Kelly, E McGrath, D Kelly; S Ryan, R McGrath, B Greene.