Three changes for Cats against an unchanged Tipp

By Peter O’ Dwyer

That Kilkenny and Tipperary meet again today having already faced off in a remarkable five league and championship finals since 2009, this evening’s encounter at Semple would seem a reaffirmation of their status as hurling’s elite.

The memory of last year’s enthralling qualifier in the white-hot atmosphere of Nowlan Park reminds us that the truth is not so straightforward – as does the current home of the Liam McCarthy in Banner County.

There is more than just a league title on offer today with the added reassurance that work done and changes made in the preceding months another coveted prize. Given the rise of Clare especially, that reassurance will however come with a rather large caveat that will linger until summer.

Nevertheless, it does seem that rather than fading forces both counties are on the way back after short-lived but much publicised malaises.

Kilkenny have so far used 32 players in this year’s league campaign – an audition for places that has seen some of the county’s stalwarts like Brian Hogan and Tommy Walsh marginalised. Hogan has seen old war comrade Jackie Tyrrell assume the centre-back position for much of the campaign while Walsh has ceded his place at wing-back to none other than his younger brother Pádraig.

Cody has thus far resisted calls from the likes of Eddie Keher - who feel the older of the Walsh brothers still has plenty left – to deploy him at either midfield or in the half-forward line with the Kilkenny manager opting instead to using him sparingly in the role he’s best accustomed to.

For the inconsistencies of Cody’s selection, results have been impressively in the opposite category after losing to Clare in the opening round. A narrow loss to Dublin has been the only blemish on the Cat’s copybook since with matches against Tipp, Galway, Waterford, Wexford and Galway again all recorded in the win column.

Crucially, the forward line has shown glimpses of its devastating potential with TJ Reid, Henry Shefflin, Colin Fennelly and Walter Walsh all contributing handsomely.

Add to the mix the return of Michael Fennelly to midfield and the impressive performances of young Joey Holden and cautious optimism about this Kilkenny side is warranted.

Cody has shuffled the pack somewhat for today with the aforementioned Holden coming back into the side at wing-back which sees Pádraig Walsh partner Fennelly in midfield. That has a further knock-on effect which sees Richie Hogan moving from the centre of the park to the number 10 shirt and Walter Walsh dropping to the subs bench. Jackie Tyrrell assumes the number six jersey again as Brian Hogan reverts to the bench. The final change sees Richie Power replace brother John at corner-forward.

Eamon O’Shea has elected to field the same starting lineup as the one that somewhat surprisingly overcame Clare in the semi by 2-24 to 2-17. If you’re O’ Shea, why change a good thing?

The victory over the All-Ireland champions was the latest in a string of ever-improving performances since falling to Kilkenny, Clare and Galway in successive weeks. While that in itself is no shame, the manner of the defeats would have been particularly worrisome for the Tipp management with 12 goals conceded in that time.

Such is the nature of the league though a narrow win over Dublin was enough to see the Premier County into the quarter-final where they beat All-Ireland finalists in a cracking game – even if the art of defending had once again seem to have been overlooked for much of the encounter.

Where the Tipp previously porous defence Tipp defence looked ripe for the picking by Clare’s forward line it was instead the Premier rearguard that looked the more assured and the Tipp forwards that waltzed in on goal on numerous occasions where they could have registered more than just a brace of goals.

Niall O’Meara gets the nod again today having shaken off a wrist injury while Patrick Maher has overcome a quad injury to start at centre-forward. Brendan Maher will again start at centre-back where his presence has helped stem the flow and ahead of him Kieran Bergin and James Woodlock continue their midfield partnership.

Victory for either county will deliver some much desired silverware and a little reassurance that they’re on the path to the bigger prizes; a reassurance tempered somewhat however by spectre of last year’s championship.