TEAM NEWS:TIPPERARY MANAGER Liam Sheedy makes just one change to the side that edged past Galway in the quarter-finals for Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford to determine who gets the chance to try to deny Kilkenny a record fifth successive title.
John O’Brien returns at wing forward to the exclusion of his Toomevara club-mate David Young, with Shane McGrath switching back to his customary role at centrefield.
There had been suggestions Brian O’Meara, one of the Munster-winning under-21s, might be selected in the half forwards to supplement the ball-winning capacity, especially given the strength of the Waterford half-back line, where Michael Walsh has been outstanding at centre back, but O’Brien’s experience is preferred.
Sheedy had more or less a full pick. Pat Kerwick has been missing all season with a groin strain and although there had been some optimism he was responding to treatment he will play no part in Sunday’s match, while Séamus Hennessy will also miss out with a knee strain – although he should be fit should Tipp progress to the final.
Waterford have delayed the announcement of their line-up until this evening or tomorrow morning, although there was no explanation for the postponement.
Aidan Kearney, who has had surgery on his leg, is a long-term injury absentee but there are no other concerns for manager David Fitzgerald.
There has been speculation that Brian O’Halloran, just a year out of minor, and who made a brief appearance in the Munster final replay win over Cork, scoring a point in the process, was under consideration for a starting place.
This is the second semi-final meeting between the counties in the last three years. Overall, Tipperary’s team shows a surprising eight changes from the one that lost to Waterford in the 2008 semi-final.
Gone since then are Eamonn Buckley, Conor O’Brien, Eamon Corcoran, Shane Maher, James Woodlock, Séamus Callanan, Hugh Maloney and Séamus Butler.
Waterford’s narrow win two years ago was the team’s only win in seven attempts to reach an All-Ireland final during the past 13 years. After Kilkenny, who have featured in all of the semi-finals during that time, Waterford and Cork hold the record of the next biggest collection of last-four appearances with eight apiece.
They have faced all four of their Munster rivals at this stage – but Tipperary are the only ones they’ve beaten after defeats by Clare (2002), Cork (2006) and Limerick (2007) – as well as Kilkenny on three occasions.
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THE THIRD annual Tomás Mulligan memorial cycle will take place this weekend from Dublin to Wexford and back. In aid of the Pieta House centre for the prevention of self-harm and suicide, the cycle is named after the former Dublin and Round Towers footballer, who died three years ago.
The cycle will depart Good Counsel in Drimnagh tomorrow morning at 9am and stop in: Greystones 10.30am, Wicklow midday, Arklow 1.30pm, Ferns 3.50pm, arriving in Wexford at 6pm. On Sunday the cycle will leave Ballynabola at 9am and stop in Enniscorthy 10.30am, Bunclody 12.10pm, Baltinglass 1.50pm, Blessington 3.50pm and return to Dublin for 6pm.
Collections for Pieta House will be taken at all stops.
TIPPERARY(SHC v Waterford): B Cummins; P Stapleton, P Curran, M Cahill; D Fanning, C O'Mahony, Páraic Maher; B Maher, S McGrath; G Ryan, Patrick Maher, J O'Brien; N McGrath, E Kelly (capt.) L Corbett.
