Galway and Kilkenny reveal semi-final teams

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody and his Galway counterpart John McIntyre have revealed their starting line-ups, ahead of Saturday evening's historic Leinster Senior Hurling semi-final at O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

The reigning All-Ireland champions boast 11 of last September’s winning side, with James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, Noel Hickey, Brian Hogan and Derek Lyng losing out.

Meanwhile Galway manager John McIntyre has opted to include injury doubt Joe Canning at full-forward in his selection.

Canning's brother Ollie returns to captain the side at left-corner back after injury ruled the Portumna clubman out of Galway's quarter-final win over Laois.

That is the only change to the Galway defence, with a new look midfield partnership as Portumna's Eoin Lynch replaces Andy Smith in the centre, alongside Kevin Hynes.

Smith moves to the half-forward line, with Kevin Hayes who was red-carded against Laois losing out.

Meanwhile McIntyre has named an unchanged full-forward line with Joe Canning flanked by Damien Hayes and Niall Healy on the wings.

KILKENNY (SH v Galway): PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, J Tyrrell; T Walsh, J Tennyson, J Dalton; M Fennelly (Capt), M Rice; H Shefflin, M Comerford, E Larkin; E Brennan, R Power, A Fogarty.

GALWAY (SH v Kilkenny): C Callanan; D Joyce, S Kavanagh, O Canning; F Moore, J Lee, A Cullinane; E Lynch, K Hynes; A Callanan, C Donnellan, A Smyth; D Hayes, J Canning, N Healy.