Lyng and Power bolster Kilkenny attack

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has made three changes to his team for tomorrow's Leinster SHC final against Wexford (Croke Park, throw-in 4pm) - the Cats' tenth provincial decider in 11 years.

The most notable alterations to the team come in attack where Derek Lyng, who is back after ankle surgery, and Richie Power, fit again after a hamstring injury, both make their returns.

Lyng will line out at centre-forward and Power comes in at right corner forward - youngsters Michael Rice and Richie Hogan are the players to make way.

With midfielder Michael Fennelly ruled out for two months after breaking his wrist in a club game, Cody has been forced to make a number of positional switches - five in total.

Former captain Jackie Tyrrell moves from left corner-back to take Fennelly's midfield spot, while John Dalton reverts from the left wing to don the number 4 jersey.

PJ Delaney, who got some game-time as a substitute against Offaly, has been included in the Cats' half-back line as the third new man in.

Cody has also tinkered with his forward lines with Eoin Larkin re-positioned to left half-forward, Eddie Brennan has a new station in the right corner and the prolific Henry Shefflin will start tomorrow's game at full-forward.

Although his side are heavy favourites to retain their Leinster crown, Cody warned: "There are probably eight or nine top hurling counties and Kilkenny and Wexford are two of those.

"On any given day, any of those counties can beat one another, so we'll be taking nothing for granted this weekend."

This is the fourth successive season that Kilkenny and Wexford have clashed in the Leinster final, with Cody's men winning in those three previous years, including their 2-24 to 1-12 success in the 2007 decider.

The reigning All-Ireland champions opened their 2008 championship account with a 2-24 to 0-12 Leinster semi-final win over Offaly.

A fit-again Shefflin scored 0-11 that day with Martin Comerford and Aidan Fogarty supplying the goals.

KILKENNY (SHC v Wexford) - PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, J Dalton; T Walsh, B Hogan, PJ Delaney; J Fitzpatrick (capt), J Tyrrell; M Comerford, D Lyng, E Larkin; R Power, H Shefflin, E Brennan.