Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has named Henry Shefflin and John Tennyson to start in Sunday’s All-Ireland final against Tipperary at Croke Park.
The participation of both players had been doubt after both suffered cruciate knee ligament injuries in recent weeks.
Cody, however, feels that both are fit enough to start and has named them in a fifteen that shows one change from the side that defeated Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final four weeks ago.
Brian Hogan is ruled out with a broken finger and Tennyson will take his place at centre-half back.
James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick keeps his place in midfield alongside Michael Fennelly, meaning that Michael Rice must be content with a place on the bench.
There had been speculation that Rice might be employed in the half-forward line at the expense of Eddie Brennan or TJ Reid, but Cody has opted to stick with the same forward line that started against Cork last time out.
Injury victim Hogan has been named as a substitute and will take his place on a formidable looking bench which will also include Michael Kavanagh, Derek Lyng and Martin Comerford.
The All-Ireland final will throw-in at Croke Park on Sunday at 3.30pm. JOE will be following the game live from 2.30pm in our GAA section.
Kilkenny (SHC v Tipperary): PJ Ryan, John Dalton, Noel Hickey, Jackie Tyrrell, Tommy Walsh, John Tennyson, J.J. Delaney, James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, Michael Fennelly, TJ Reid (captain), Henry Shefflin, Eoin Larkin, Eddie Brennan, Richard Power, Aidan Fogarty.
