Tipperary must show belief

ALL-IRELAND MHC SEMI-FINAL Kilkenny v Tipperary:TIPPERARY MUST overcome any mental shortcomings that may linger when comparing both teams' respective defeats of Wexford this season. In the Leinster final the defending All-Ireland champions crushed their usual, eh, rivals 1-19 to 0-11 while in contrast Tipperary had to dig deep to see off Wexford by a single point in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

It is believed Tipperary needed that game to remove the doubts festering after a surprise, albeit convincing, loss to Waterford in the Munster final. Maybe they arrived at that juncture over confident after seeing off Cork.

That they are without a serious forward in John O’Dwyer (jaw) for tomorrow is a concern, but at least Ruairi Gleeson has recovered from a knee complaint to start at full forward. Actual changes to O’Leary’s team see Dan McCormack replacing injured goalkeeper Paul Ryan and Andrew Ryan preferred at corner back ahead of Michael O’Brien.

Ollie Walsh switches into the Kilkenny midfield as Geoff Brennan is named at right wing forward with James Cassin making way.

Kilkenny are favourites but this is a decent Tipperary team.

KILKENNY:J Power; I Duggan, W Phelan, J Lyng; L Harney, R Doyle, J Gannon; C Kenny, O Walsh; G Brennan, S Kehoe, C Buckley; G Aylward, W Walsh, C Maher (capt).

TIPPERARY:D McCormack; S Maher, L Butler, A Ryan; D Maher, W Ryan, J Meagher; A Hogan, B Stapleton; S Curran, T Butler, E Murray; D Collins, R Gleeson, A Cleere.

Referee:D O'Driscoll (Limerick).