Molumphy included in Waterford lineup

Stephen Molumphy has been named at centre-forward in the Waterford team to face Tipperary in Sunday's Munster SHC final (Semple Stadium, throw-in 4pm), although doubts remain over the Ballyduff Upper clubman's fitness.

Molumphy injured his knee when colliding with Limerick's Brian Geary during Waterford's semi-final replay win. He trained successfully last night in Dungarvan, however he will have a final fitness test on Sunday morning before he can be confirmed as a starter.

Losing a player of the quality of the Deise joint captain would be a significant blow for Davy Fitzgerald, especially with their other joint-captain Ken McGrath (knee) and Gary Hurney (collarbone) on the long-term injury list.

Waterford boss Fitzgerald has made two changes to his side for the provincial decider. Aidan Kearney and Jack Kennedy return at left half-back and left corner forward respectively.

Kearney comes in for Richie Foley in defence, while Kennedy has been promoted to top of the left taking over from Hurney, who broke his collarbone at training.

In front of the retained Shane O'Sullivan-Kevin Moran midfield combination, Fitzgerald has shuffled his attacking unit.

Molumphy and Seamus Prendergast, who has moved to the right wing, will be joined in the half-forward line by Dungarvan clubman Nagle who has kept former Hurler of the Year Dan Shanahan out of the side.

Shanahan and Eoin McGrath will be options for Fitzgerald off the bench, with Kennedy linking up with John Mullane and Eoin Kelly in the full-forward line.

Mullane (0-10) and Kelly (0-18) have been Waterford's top scorers across the two recent semi-final games against Limerick.

Tipperary may be the defending champions but Waterford have won four of the sides' last five Championship clashes, including last year's All-Ireland semi-final (1-20 to 1-18) and the breakthrough 2002 Munster final (2-23 to 3-12).

WATERFORD (SHC v Tipperary) - C Hennessy; E Murphy, D Prendergast, N Connors; T Browne, M Walsh, A Kearney; S O'Sullivan, K Moran; S Prendergast, S Molumphy, J Nagle; J Mullane, E Kelly, J Kennedy.