GAA: MUNSTER UNDER-21 HC SEMI-FINALTHIS EVENING'S Bórd Gáis Munster hurling semi-final in Thurles reminds us that for all the fireworks of last year's All-Ireland Under-21 final, Tipperary came within an ace of exiting the championship at the provincial stage when taken to extra-time by tonight's opponents.

Cork actually have more senior experience, as Tipp captain Noel McGrath (already twice an All Star) is the only starter from last Sunday’s senior provincial final lining out. He’s not, however, the only All Star or senior All-Ireland medallist on the field this evening. Cork footballer Aidan Walsh has been given the go-ahead by Conor Counihan to play after last year’s controversy when he was withdrawn from the corresponding fixture.

Brian O’Meara was unlucky last year to make his senior debut in Cork on the day Tipp got blitzed. By the time they had rehabilitated he had missed matches due to suspension and never got back in.

Tipp are favourites and have the advantage of having played already, against Waterford, and recorded a big win, with John O’Neill impressing with 2-2. Cork will struggle to emulate the 2008 victory when the respective cohorts met at minor.

TIPPERARY: P Ryan; C Hough, K O'Gorman, S O'Brien; B Stapleton, P Heffernan, J Barry; N McGrath, A Ryan; S Curran, P Murphy, B O'Meara; K Morris, J O'Neill, J O'Dwyer.

CORK: D McCarthy; C Joyce, E Finn, S Corry; J Nagle, W Egan, M Ellis; S O'Farrell, D Roche; D Brosnan, C Lehane, A Walsh; L O'Farrell, M O'Sullivan, J Coughlan.

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).