In what would be a major boost to Waterford’s prospects, though an almost-certain risk, joint-captain Stephen Molumphy has been selected at centre-forward for Sunday’s Munster final against Tipperary in Thurles.
In two personnel changes from the side that started the replay against Limerick, Aidan Kearney comes in for Richie Foley in the half-back line – Tony Browne reverting to his more familiar berth on the right flank from the off – and Ballyduff Lower’s Jack Kennedy is picked at left corner-forward, with top-scorer Eoin Kelly taking the place of shoulder victim Gary Hurney at No. 14.
Both Kevin Moran (ankle) and Noel Connors (hand) have also recovered to take their places in an unchanged full-back line and midfield respectively.
Given the delicate condition of his knee, there will be fears that Molumphy, even if he does start, might not see out the 70 minutes. Indeed, the army lieutenant’s inclusion is still thought to be touch and go despite being named in the team announced after training last night.
Dan Shanahan, who replaced the skipper for the second half the last day, and Eoin McGrath – for whom Jamie Nagle made way – would seem the obvious ‘impact subs’ among Davy Fitzgerald’s reserves.
Nagle nailed his place at right half-forward with a six-point salvo in last Tuesday week’s challenge against Clare at Fraher Field, in which Kennedy also impressed, as he did late on versus Limerick.
Meanwhile, in what appears a formidable fifteen on paper, title-holders Tipp have named an unchanged line-up from that which started the semi-final against Clare, despite the fact that manager Liam Sheedy felt forced to make wholesale changes midstream.
There are a number of positional switches in the Tipp attack, however, with John O’Brien named at left half-forward, Eoin Kelly at full-forward and Noel McGrath and Lar Corbett in the corners.
See elsewhere this section (including page 2 for Minor team news) plus special supplement in Sport.
Waterford team:
1. Clinton Hennessy, 2. Eoin Murphy, 3. Declan Prendergast, 4. Noel Connors, 5. Tony Browne, 6. Michael Walsh, 7. Aidan Kearney, 8. Kevin Moran, 9. Shane O’Sullivan, 10. Seamus Prendergast, 11. Stephen Molumphy (Capt), 12. Jamie Nagle, 13. John Mullane, 14. Eoin Kelly, 15. Jack Kennedy
Reserves (16-30): Adrian Power, Richie Foley, Dan Shanahan, Eoin McGrath, Maurice Shanahan, Jerome Maher, James Murray, Shane Walsh, Shane Casey, Thomas Ryan, Mark O’Brien, John Hurney, Thomas Connors, Shane Fives, Bryan Phelan.
Tipperary team:
1. Brendan Cummins, 2. Paddy Stapleton, 3. Paul Curran, 4. Conor O’Brien, 5. Declan Fanning, 6. Conor O’Mahony (Capt), 7. Padraic Maher, 8. James Woodlock, 9. Shane McGrath, 10. Pat Kerwick, 11. Seamus Callanan, 12. John O’Brien, 13. Noel McGrath, 14. Eoin Kelly, 15. Lar Corbett.
