Hickey and Shefflin return for Kilkenny

Noel Hickey and Henry Shefflin have both been included in the Kilkenny team for tomorrow's (Sunday's) NHL Division One semi-final clash with Tipperary (Semple Stadium, throw-in 3.15pm).

2000 All-Star Hickey is set to play his first inter-county game since last year's All-Ireland championship.

The Dunnamaggin clubman was diagnosed with a heart condition last summer and also underwent laser eye surgery in December, but he has made a full recovery and is named at left corner back.

Hickey was expected to return at full-back, but his inclusion in the corner sets up an intriguing head-to-head battle with Tipperary's four-time All-Star forward Eoin Kelly.

2005 All-Star Shefflin is recalled at full-forward after his recovery from a groin problem.

It will be the Ballyhale ace's first appearance of the campaign.

In all, Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has made six personnel changes to the side that beat Galway by 1-16 to 0-10 in the Cats' final Division 1B game on April 2.

James McGarry replaces PJ Ryan in goals, Hickey comes in for Donnacha Cody, the manager's son, and there are direct swaps at midfield as Michael Fennelly and Michael Rice lose out to the pairing of Derek Lyng and Richie Mullally.

Richie Power, who has impressed so far in the League with a personal tally of 0-26, is described as "having a slight knock" and starts on the bench.

His place in the half-forwards is taken by Willie O'Dwyer.

Shefflin replaces Eoin McCormack in the full-forward line with James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick shifting from full-forward to the right corner.

Fitzpatrick hit 0-05 from play when Kilkenny beat Tipperary by 0-19 to 0-10 in the League in February.

KILKENNY (NHL v Tipperary) - J McGarry; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, N Hickey; J Tyrrell (capt), J Tennyson, T Walsh; D Lyng, R Mullally; W O'Dwyer, M Comerford, E Larkin; J Fitzpatrick, H Shefflin, A Fogarty.