Galway will field the team which finished their All-Ireland semi-final win over Derry when they line out against Kildare in the final at Croke Park next Sunday.

The team announced yesterday will not surprise anyone. In the semi-final against Derry, Shay Walsh replaced Fergal Gavin after 51 minutes and Walsh retains his place in the line-up with Gavin named among the list of no fewer than 15 subs.

This list must be reduced to six before the match, under GAA rules. Gavin should be among the half dozen, as will substitute goalkeeper Pat Comer.

This year's Galway squad has been fortunate in that it has been free of injury since the semi-final. Prior to that match the fitness of Kevin Walsh, their midfielder, was causing serious worries.

He had been carried off the field in Galway's Connacht final replay victory over Roscommon in Hyde Park with what, at the time, appeared to be a serious leg injury. He recovered in spectacular fashion, however, to play a crucial part in the defeat of Derry and has been in good shape in training since.

Meanwhile, the Galway under-21 hurling team were defeated in the final of their championship by Cork in Thurles yesterday. Galway's senior, under-21 and minor hurling teams have now all bowed out without serious honours.

The under-21 final attracted a crowd of some 10,000. Galway were always struggling against a very strong Cork team which, their supporters believe, will restore their county's status at senior level within the next few years.

Cork won 2-15 to 2-10