The High Court yesterday lifted the ban on John Boland playing for Tipperary in tomorrow's minor final. Boland was sent off in a club match between Toomevara and Kilruane, and although the decision was overturned at divisional board level, a four-week ban was subsequently upheld by the GAA's central committee.
However, the High Court has intervened and it now remains to be seen if Boland is included in the starting 15 for the clash with Kilkenny.
Even without Boland, Tipperary's superior scoring power, as clearly indicated in this season's scoring averages, seems to have them poised for victory at Croke Park.
Manager Peter McCormack has an embarrassment of forward talent, led by the prolific Pat Shortt and Trevor Ivors.
McCormack has been even allowed the luxury of switching his attack leader Conor O'Mahoney for a midfield role.
Diarmuid Corcoran makes way for O'Mahoney to drop back, with usual full-forward Francis Devanney moving to the 40.
In the only change from the Wexford match, Brendan O'Sullivan has been picked at right-wing back, but Boland may now start there afterall.
Kilkenny had difficulty in finding top gear against Galway in the first half of their semi-final and were fortunate to be only a goal adrift at the interval.
They, too, can afford to take attack leader Michael Rice back to midfield, with PJ Delaney moving to centre back in a reshuffled half-back line.
Willie O'Dwyer moves from the 40 to partner Stephen Maher in a sound looking midfield, with Eoin Reid at coming in at full-forward.
TIPPERARY: P McCormack; M Treacy, D Bourke, M Bergin; B O'Sullivan, D Morrissey, D Kennedy; W Cully, C O'Mahoney; P Shortt, F Devanney, W Ryan; E Sweeney, T Scroope, T Ivors.
KILKENNY: C Grant; P Holden, J Tennyson, D Prendergast; K Nolan, PJ Delaney, C Hoyne; M Rice, S Maher; R Power, W O'Dwyer, S Coonan; J Fitzpartrick, E Reid, A Healy.
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