GALWAY and Tipperary have had to wait nearly a month for this replay and if the momentum was with Galway after the drawn game, it has surely dissipated by now.

They trailed by eight points with 18 minutes left in that match, but it was a panic stricken Tipperary that needed two late points to save the game.

Defeat for Tipperary would have been a travesty. They played the more fluent hurling all through, scoring 20 times to Galway's 14 (3-11). Some of their point taking was top class, as they repeatedly found time and space in the Galway defence.

Galway showed a precious ability to manufacture goals, but manager Noel Lane knows that they will not be contrived as handily tomorrow if they're needed.

Tipperary were the better balanced side and Lane has radically reshaped his team with only six players remaining in their original positions. A new midfield has been assembled in an attempt to stifle the influence of Tipperary pair, Willie Maher and Michael Ryan wing back Colin Coen moved out to join centre half forward, Eugene McEntee there.

Only one forward, David Loughrey, remains in his original position, with corner forward Aidan Poinard now taking over from McEntee in the number 11 jersey. Poinard bagged two goals the last day and, given his predatory instincts, may be deployed closer to goal than his position suggests.

Michael Kerins, the other goal scorer and previously the team's sub goalkeeper, starts at left corner forward, having come off the bench on September 1st. Rory Gantley starts in the other corner having spent the summer sidelined with a broken leg.

He too came on the last day and the extra month has brought him close to full fitness. A brilliant talent and an All Ireland minor winner two years ago at the age of 15, Gantley could be an important figure if he is not impeded by lack of competitive match practice - but it is still a gamble.

Tipperary manager, Dinny Cahill's adjustments have been less extravagant. Tomas Keane has replaced Nigel Cleere at right half back, while dual county star, Declan Browne, has replaced right half forward, Sean Ryan.

Cahill will obviously expect a more productive hour from full forward Eugene O'Neill, who was suffocated the last day by Galway's excellent full back and captain, Michael Healy.

The Galway full forward, Eugene Cloonan, has already picked up an All Ireland under 21 medal this year as team goalkeeper.

Galway therefore have two part time keepers in their full forward line, but Cloonan, in particular, looks to have a bright future in attack, given his performances throughout the summer. He was a prominent player in Galway's revival and curbing his influence tomorrow will be a priority for Cahill.

The Tipperary manager, in fact, will surely have reflected his team's penchant for conceding late goals. They did so against Antrim in the semi final when the game admittedly was theirs and, almost fatally, against Galway. But the defence remains intact bar that one change in the half back line.

Lane and his selectors, Niall McInerney and John Connolly, have spent the month looking for a proper balance in their side. They feel they may have it now but wholesale reshuffling of this nature is bound to be risky.

Tipperary, on the other hand, have a more settled side. Their attacking unit was more prolific the last day and should be again tomorrow unless Cloonan, Poinard and company catch fire. If they do, then Galway will have completed a hat trick of All Ireland titles this year at minor, under 21 and junior level.