Carey back after year's absence

DJ Carey will wear the Kilkenny jersey for the first time in exactly a year in Sunday's All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Tipperary at Croke Park. His dramatic comeback to championship hurling was completed last night when he was named in the left corner forward position in place of Charlie Carter - the only change from the team that beat Wexford in the Leinster final six weeks ago.

Just over a month ago Carey had ruled himself out of championship hurling for the rest of the summer, a move which sparked rumours of imminent retirement. Then came the announcement of his sudden return to the Kilkenny panel having sat out their entire league and championship to date, followed by word earlier this week that he was fit and ready to start his first game for Kilkenny since last year's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway.

"As a player you'd always be hoping to start," said Carey. "You don't want to be a substitute, even though you are just back, but whatever decision is made I'll certainly accept that."

Manager Brian Cody, however, has clearly been convinced that Carey's best position on Sunday is in the starting 15, even if his playing fitness remains somewhat questionable. A combination of injuries and illness had delayed Carey's return to the Kilkenny training for several months, and while he has been playing for his club Young Irelands in the meantime, it is still something of a gamble by Cody and the rest of the Kilkenny management.

Carey denied suggestions that his lack of match practice may come against him, arguing that his concentration at training in recent weeks has been total, and that the injuries which hindered his preparations for much of the year - specifically the neck injury - are fully behind him.

For Carter, the relegation out of the starting line-up can't have been totally unexpected. After a good cameo against Offaly, he didn't enjoy a good day at the office against Wexford on July 7th - untypically, he was held scoreless throughout his time on the field.

Opponents Tipperary have made two changes in personnel and two more positional switches from the team that beat Antrim in the quarter-final. As expected, regular centre back David Kennedy was ruled out because of the leg injury he picked up while playing club football with Loughmore-Castleiney, and right wing back Eamonn Corcoran moves into the position to take his place.

Noel Morris, who played at midfield the last day, moves into the wing back position, although the rest of the defence is unchanged. As a result, Eddie Enright, who was limited to a substitute role the last day because of increased work commitments at the time, is restored to the starting team to partner Tomás Dunne at midfield.

There are more significant changes in the attack. Conor Gleeson, who started at centre forward the last day, is dropped to make way for Eugene O'Neill. With O'Neill starting at full forward, John Carroll drops back from number 14 to number 11. Benny Dunne and Mark O'Leary also switch positions from the last day, with Dunne going to left corner forward and O'Leary to right wing forward.

In football, Donegal have made just one change for Saturday evening's All-Ireland football quarter-final replay against Dublin. As expected, Barry Monaghan was ruled out because of the groin injury suffered within minutes of the drawn game and Damien Diver has been named at centre back, though he is likely to play at wing back.

Armagh have gone with the same starting line-up for their quarter-final replay against Sligo on Sunday evening in Navan. Wing back Andrew McCann holds on to his place ahead of Kieran Hughes, who started in the Ulster final but missed out the last day because of injury.

• The Australian Football League announced that Tadhg Kennelly of the Sydney Swans club, is the Round 19 National AFL Rising Star.