Kilkenny's Reid passed fit for U-21 final

TJ Reid dazzled with four second-half points in last Sunday's All-Ireland senior hurling final and he will hope for more of the same in this Sunday's Bord Gais Under-21 decider at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

Reid has shaken off a hand injury to be named at left half-forward in the Kilkenny team to take on Munster champions Tipperary.

Cats manager Michael Walsh said: "TJ was our one injury worry after he got that belt on the hand last Sunday, but no damage was caused and we'll be at full strength."

Bidding to guide Kilkenny to their eleventh Under-21 title and first since 2006, Walsh has kept faith with the team that started the recent 2-14 to 1-13 semi-final defeat of Galway.

Reid scored three points from play in that game at Semple Stadium, but corner forward Richie Hogan, a cousin of DJ Carey, was Kilkenny's scoring star with a final tally of 2-05.

If Walsh's youngsters triumph against Tipp, it will complete a tremendous clean sweep of All-Ireland titles for the county this season, adding to the intermediate, minor and senior successes.

KILKENNY (U-21HC v Tipperary) - C McGrath; P Murphy, K Joyce, E O'Shea; L Ryan, P Hogan, N Prendergast; J Dowling (capt), N Walsh; C Fennelly, N Cleere, TJ Reid; M Ruth, J Mulhall, R Hogan.