Compiled by DAMIAN CULLEN

Altered images: Tipp and Kilkenny changes change little

TIPPERARY have long had a plan to annex Kilkenny. That can be the only explanation we can think of to explain why, when the GAA officials in the county came together many years ago and divided the county into four geographical areas – they decided on North, South, West, and, ermm, Mid.

The East (or Kilkenny as it is known), has yet to be added to the county.

It would have have made for quite a decent hurling side if it was all the one county – but, of course, we would also have been deprived of an unbelievably intense rivalry, and what, hopefully, will be a final next Sunday to rival the quality and drama of the previous two.

And while the two teams might look to have changed little from last season’s finale, there have actually been quite a number of additions and subtractions from both panels.

In fact, the number of players on the match-day squads next Sunday who were not involved on the playing panels for last year’s final is no less than 21.

Ten of the additions were made to the Kilkenny squad, with Brian Cody looking for the ingredient which was missing 12 months ago, while 11 new faces have been added to the defending champions’ panel by new boss Declan Ryan, who has put his own stamp on what was Liam Sheedy’s winning side.

Still, possibly only one of those 21 new additions will start next weekend – with Paul Murphy to get the number two Kilkenny jersey. Colin Fennelly is expected to miss out through injury, while Tipperary’s John O’Keeffe is coming under pressure due to the return to fitness of last year’s young hurler of the year, Brendan Maher.

Also interesting is that Tipperary draw players from 18 clubs for the senior panel, with Kilkenny close behind, with 17 clubs represented.

This is despite the fact there are only 12 senior hurling clubs in Kilkenny, while Tipperary have 32. Quality and quantity, however, do not always go hand in hand.

Hurler of the year also up for grabs on Sunday

IT seems the Hurler of the Year title will come down to whichever team, and whichever player, stars next Sunday at headquarters.

The consensus seems to be it’s between Michael Fennelly and Tommy Walsh on the black and amber side, and Lar Corbett and Pádraic Maher on the blue and gold side.

Though if someone else – such as Henry Shefflin – had an outstanding 70 minutes in the final, the title could still be wrestled away from those four.

Cross border challenge

AS part of its Harvest Festival yesterday, a small village in Tipp flew, ermm, a Kilkenny flag. The flag was on top of a black and amber hoarding with Good Luck John painted on the side.

John Mulhall has close family connections to Loughmore, but couldnt attend the festival – which attracted thousands on a gloriously sunny day – as he was away training with Kilkenny.

We probably should point out the Tipperary flag flew beside it!