Comerford returns to the panel

Kilkenny have made one change to their starting line-up from their Leinster final victory against Wexford six weeks ago for next Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final clash with Tipperary.

Conor Phelan, who started against both Dublin and Wexford, has lost his place in midfield to Paddy Mullally.

The Glenmore clubman last played for the county four years ago when he replaced Peter Barry in the Leinster final.

However, the most notable addition that manager Brian Cody has made to the side to face Tipperary is to include last year's captain Andy Comerford in the panel.

Comerford could not take part in Kilkenny's sixth consecutive Leinster championship title due to a groin injury and has not played for the Cats since last year's All-Ireland final. He has regained full fitness playing for his club O'Loughlin Gaels.

It was thought his inclusion could be in doubt after he received a straight red card last month in the county league semi-final against Graigue-Ballycallan. However, he received a four-week ban that was only applicable to club hurling.

In a similar scenario to DJ Carey last year, the call-up comes before the penultimate match of the championship, the only difference being DJ went straight back into the starting 15.

In other team news, Wexford have named an unchanged side for their replay with Cork on Saturday. Despite some "sore bones and muscles", manager John Conran reported no major injury concerns.

Cork and Wexford have had just six days to rediscover the standards of last Sunday in order to progress to the All-Ireland final. However, this surely puts the ageing Wexford side at more of a disadvantage. Conran, though, refuses to condemn the Croke Park authorities.

"It's difficult for the GAA what with the fixture congestion. But we have played so many games like this before, with just six days preparation, that it is in our psyche."

Meanwhile, Iarnród Éireann have set up a hotline for the special train tickets from Cork to Dublin for the All-Ireland semi-final replay between Cork and Wexford.

In an effort to avoid a repeat of the criticism they received after last weekend's ticket allocation, they have also introduced a control card for passengers wishing to travel on the regular scheduled trains. A statement released yesterday said:

"Any intending passengers will be required to have a 'Control Card' (issued free of charge) in addition to their rail ticket in order to travel. Control cards and rail tickets will be issued on a first-come first-served basis."

The special telephone ticket line number is (021) 455 7242.

KILKENNY (SH v Tipperary): J McGarry, M Kavanagh, N Hickey, J Ryall, S Dowling, P Barry, JJ Delaney, D Lyng, P Mullally, J Hoyne, H Shefflin, T Walsh, DJ Carey, M Comerford, E Brennan.

Wexford (SH v Cork): D Fitzhenry, D Guiney, D Ryan, D O'Connor, D Stamp, D Ruth, L Dunne, R McCarthy, L O'Gorman, A Fenlon, L Murphy, M Jacob, M Jordan, P Codd, R Jacob.