Dublin-Kilkenny Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final Match Pick...

Dublin face reigning provincial and All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final, at Croke Park on Sunday.

It is the Dubs' first Leinster decider since 1991, where Kilkenny were also the opposition on that day. However, Kilkenny won by a couple of points on that occasion. Dublin have definitely up their game in this year's championship under new manager Anthony Daly, with good wins over Antrim and Wexford.

Injury doubt Alan McCrabbe has been named in the Dublin team for Sunday's final. McCrabbe injured his knee in the semi-final win over Wexford, but has recovered to take his place alongside John McCaffrey at midfield. Liam Ryan returns from injury to replace Pat Kelly in the half forward line, while Joey Boland continues at centre back in the absence of Ronan Fallon, who is recovering from a broken bone in his foot. Stephen Hiney captains the team from right half back.

Dublin Team:
G Maguire; N Corcoran, T Brady, O Gough; S Hiney (captain), J Boland, M Carton; J McCaffrey, A McCrabbe; S Durkin, L Ryan, K Flynn; D O'Callaghan, L Rushe, D Treacy.

Kilkenny are looking to land the Bob O'Keeffe Cup for an amazing ninth time this decade and 66th time in all. However, this is just their second game of the championship; having already secured a hard-fought win over Galway in the semi-final. Manager Brian Cody will have his men braced for another battle against a Dublin side that have fared better than most against the Noresiders in recent years.

Kilkenny's All-Star full back Noel Hickey has been ruled out of the final. He missed the semi-final win over Galway, with a knee ligament problem and is believed to be two weeks away from making a comeback. JJ Delaney will continue to occupy the full-back position in Hickey's absence.

Last year's All-Ireland winning captain James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick has recovered from a broken bone in his hand, and was expected to be named at midfield to partner Derek Lyng. However, Cody has made only one change to the starting XV that played the Tribesmen. Lyng who missed the NHL campaign through injury, made a big impression after coming off the bench against Galway and has retained his place at Michael Fennelly's expense. Fitzpatrick is among the substitutes.

Centre-back Brian Hogan returned to light training last week, after he suffered a broken collarbone in the NHL final against Tipperary nearly two months ago. John Tennyson continues at centre back in the absence of Hogan.

Kilkenny Team:
PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, J Tyrrell; T Walsh, J Tennyson, J Dalton; D Lyng, M Rice; H Shefflin, M Comerford, E Larkin; E Brennan, R Power, A Fogarty.


Back in April, Dublin only lost by two points to the Black and Amber in the league at Nowlan Park. However, Kilkenny had already made the NHL final before that match. The bookies have made Kilkenny heavy favorites for the Leinster decider and for good reason. Therefore, I don't see Dublin coming close to an upset on Sunday.

Winner: Kilkenny

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