Joe Canning named as replacement for Galway’s clash with Kilkenny

Galway captain Joe Canning will again start on the bench for Sunday's Allianz Hurling League semi-final against defending champions Kilkenny in Limerick.

The 25-year-old has recovered from a hamstring injury and was expected to make his first Galway start of the year after helping Portumna win the All-Ireland club title in March.

He came off the bench after 54 minutes in the quarter-final victory over Limerick, but Galway boss Anthony Cunningham has named the three-time All-Star forward on the bench for the encounter at the Gaelic Grounds.

It means Cunningham makes just one enforced change and a number of positional switches from the side that started against Limerick.

Andy Smith has been named at left wing forward, with Aidan Harte moving back to the half back line and David Collins moving to the full back line to cover for the injured Fergal Moore.

Kilkenny make six changes for the semi-final following their emphatic 12-point win over Wexford in the quarter-finals.

Brian Kennedy comes in for Joey Holden at left corner back, with Brian Hogan and Cillian Buckley coming in for Jackie Tyrell and and Kieran Joyce in the half back line, while Pádraig Walsh switches back from midfield and takes over from Conor Fogarty.

Michael Fennelly comes in at midfield to join Richie Hogan, with Brian Cody making two changes in the full forward line with John Power coming in for his brother Richie on the right and Henry Shefflin taking the place of Eoin Larkin on the left.

Tipperary make five changes for their semi-final clash with All-Ireland champions Clare, starting with Darren Gleeson coming in for Darragh Egan in goal.

There are two changes to the full back line, with Cathal Barrett and Michael Cahill coming in on the corners for Paddy Stapleton and Conor O'Brien.

Pádraic Maher takes over from Thomas Stapleton at wing back and Patrick Maher is named at wing forward, with John O'Dwyer moving to the full forward line to take over from Shane Bourke.

Clare also make five changes starting with Donal Tuohy taking over from Patrick Kelly in goal.

Jack Browne comes in to the full back line in place of Conor Cooney, while Colm Galvin is named in midfield, with Tony Kelly moving to the half forwards in place of Peter Duggan.

With Shane O'Donnell injured, Davy Fitzgerald has moved Conor McGrath to full forward, with Cathal McInerney and and Podge Collins also coming into attack.

KILKENNY (v Galway, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, Sunday, 2.0pm): Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, JJ Delaney, Brian Kennedy; Pádraig Walsh, Brian Hogan, Cillian Buckley; Michael Fennelly, Richie Hogan; Walter Walsh, Colin Fennelly, TJ Reid; John Power, Mark Kelly, Henry Shefflin. Replacements: David Herity, Michael Walsh, Joey Holden, Tommy Walsh, Conor Fogarty, Kieran Joyce, Tomás Keogh, Lester Ryan, Aidan Fogarty, Jonjo Farrell, Joe Brennan.

GALWAY: Colm Callanan; Johnny Coen, Ronan Burke, David Collins; Aidan Harte, Iarla Tannian, Daithí Burke; David Burke, Padraig Brehony; Niall Burke, Conor Cooney, Andy Smith; Niall Healy, Jonathan Glynn, Cathal Mannion.

CLARE (v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, Sunday, 4.0pm): Donal Tuohy; Jack Browne, Cian Dillon, David McInerney; Brendan Bugler, Conor Ryan, Patrick O'Connor; Patrick Donnellan, Colm Galvin; John Conlon, Tony Kelly, Colin Ryan; Cathal McInerney, Conor McGrath, Podge Collins.

TIPPERARY: Darren Gleeson; Cathal Barrett, Conor O'Mahony, Michael Cahill; James Barry, Brendan Maher, Pádraic Maher; Kieran Bergin, James Woodlock; Denis Maher, Noel McGrath, Patrick Maher; John O'Dwyer, Séamus Callanan, Niall O'Meara.