Munster under-21 Hurling final: Tipperary will be keen to remove the hex that Cork hurlers have held over the Premier County tonight as they look to retain their under-21 Munster title.
Already this year Cork have dispensed with their senior, minor and intermediate sides, giving Séamus Power's men plenty of motivation to deny a potential quadruple sweep.
Things are looking positive though at this level. Tipp have several of the team who last year overcame a Cork side containing Setanta Ó hAilpín and John Gardiner in the final, before faltering in the All-Ireland semi-finals against Galway.
Tony Scroope is the main threat at full forward, while Toomevara's Francis Devanney caused plenty of hassle from the 40 in the impressive dismissal of Limerick at the last four stage.
Scroope bagged 3-3 that day as his team won with 16 points to spare. They name an unchanged line-up for this evening.
In contrast, Cork have made two changes and a raft of positional switches from the side that overran Waterford (0-20 to 1-8) on July 6th. John Crowley comes in at centre forward as captain while Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields) moves to left corner forward. Diarmuid O'Riordan starts in the opposite corner.
Significantly, Gardiner and Kevin Hartnett are switched from midfield to the half-back line to stem any primary attacking ball. This change means Michael Naughton and Kieran Murphy (Erin's Own) move into the centre from their previous attacking slots.
Also, Cian O'Connor goes to full back, to facilitate Gardiner, and in turn frees up Shane Murphy to right wing back.
Although so many switches may disrupt the Cork side's flow, the redeployment of Gardiner to his favoured centre-back slot will give him a bigger say on the game. It will also negate Devanney's influence. Yet, the crucial individual match-up is how O'Connor fares on Scroope.
Another advantage Cork have is that, despite their under-21 footballers also being in the Munster final, unlike other years, there are no dual players involved.
Gardiner has been playing well for Na Piarsaigh in the club football championship, but opted out of inter-county commitments with the large ball.
Tipperary are still slight favourites, but if Cork can rediscover the scoring blitz that felled Waterford, the Indian sign may continue over the defending champions. A big ask before any thoughts of scalping Kilkenny or Galway can begin.
TIPPERARY: P McCormack; A Morrissey, C O'Mahoney, H Moloney; D Kennedy, D Fitzgerald (capt), E Hanley; J Caesar, S Sweeney; P Buckley, F Devanney, M Farrell; W Ryan, T Scroope, E Sweeney.
CORK: M Coleman; J O'Mahoney, C O'Connor, K Goggins; S Murphy, J Gardiner, K Hartnett; M Naughton, K Murphy (Erin's Own); B Barry, J Crowley, F Murphy; D O'Riordan, M Cussen, K Murphy (capt).
