Tipperary and Kilkenny have announced their starting XVs ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final at Croke Park.

Tipperary boss Liam Cahill has kept faith with the same side that defeated Galway in the quarter-finals, showing no changes as they prepare for a massive clash with the Cats.

Kilkenny, meanwhile, have made two switches from the Leinster final win over Galway. Eoin Cody returns from injury to take his place in the forward line, while Shane Murphy also comes in. Tommy Walsh and Stephen Donnelly make way.

Throw-in is set for 4pm at Croke Park on Sunday, 7th July.

Tipperary Team v Kilkenny (SHC Semi-Final)

1. Rhys Shelly
2. Ronan Doyle
3. Eoghan Connolly
4. Michael Breen
5. Craig Morgan
6. Ronan Maher (Captain)
7. Bryan O’Mara
8. Willie Connors
9. Paudie McGarry
10. Jake Morris
11. Alan Ormond
12. Sean O’Farrell
13. Diarmuid McCarthy
14. Jason McGrath
15. Jack Forde

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A classic rivalry returns to Croke Park this weekend as Leinster champions Kilkenny face off against a rejuvenated Tipperary side in the second All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final. With 68 titles between them and a legacy of epic battles, Saturday’s showdown is set to deliver another chapter of high drama.

Kilkenny, last crowned champions in 2015, are chasing a return to the final after losing to Limerick last year. Tipperary, All-Ireland winners in 2019, have built momentum through the qualifiers and look like a team peaking at the right time.

Path to the Semi-Final

Kilkenny – P6 W5 L1 (Leinster Champions)

• Kilkenny 3-24 Galway 0-21
• Kilkenny 2-30 Antrim 2-12
• Kilkenny 4-25 Offaly 2-16
• Kilkenny 5-19 Dublin 3-21
• Wexford 2-19 Kilkenny 1-15
• Kilkenny 3-22 Galway 1-20 (Leinster Final)

Tipperary – P6 W4 D1 L1

• Tipperary 2-23 Limerick 2-23
• Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24
• Tipperary 4-18 Clare 2-21
• Tipperary 1-30 Waterford 1-21
• Tipperary 3-32 Laois 0-18 (Prelim QF)
• Tipperary 1-28 Galway 2-17 (Quarter-Final)

Top Scorers – Championship 2025

Kilkenny

• TJ Reid – 5-26 (0-22 frees, 0-2 ‘65s’)
• Martin Keoghan – 6-8
• Eoin Cody – 2-18 (1-11 frees)
• Billy Ryan – 2-13
• Adrian Mullen – 3-6

Tipperary

• Jason Forde – 2-38 (0-21 frees, 0-4 s/l, 0-1 ‘65’)
• Darragh McCarthy – 0-31 (0-25 frees, 0-1 ‘65’)
• John McGrath – 4-12
• Andrew Ormond – 2-13
• Jake Morris – 0-18

Championship Head-to-Head – Last Five Meetings

• 2019: Tipperary 3-25 Kilkenny 0-20 (All-Ireland Final)
• 2016: Tipperary 2-29 Kilkenny 2-20 (All-Ireland Final)
• 2014: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14 (Final Replay)
• 2014: Kilkenny 3-22 Tipperary 1-28 (Final – Draw)
• 2013: Kilkenny 0-20 Tipperary 1-14 (Qualifiers)

Recent edge: Tipperary have won 2 of the last 3 championship meetings, including the 2019 final.

Semi-Final Pedigree – Last Five Appearances

Kilkenny

• 2024: Lost to Clare
• 2023: Beat Clare
• 2022: Beat Clare
• 2021: Lost to Cork (AET)
• 2020: Lost to Waterford

Tipperary

• 2019: Beat Wexford
• 2017: Lost to Galway
• 2016: Beat Galway
• 2015: Lost to Galway
• 2014: Beat Cork

Note: Kilkenny are in their 7th successive semi-final. Tipp are back at this stage for the first time since 2019.

Other Notables

• Tipperary beat Kilkenny by 2-25 to 1-19 in the 2025 Allianz League
• Kilkenny finished with 12 players, Tipp with 14
• Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng faced Tipp 4 times as a player, winning 3

Verdict

Kilkenny come in as the more consistent outfit with a Leinster title under their belt, while Tipperary look dangerous and free-scoring since the Munster championship ended. This will come down to discipline and midfield control — and if Tipperary continue their upward trend, they could take a huge scalp.

Prediction: Tipperary to win by 2–4 points in a high-scoring thriller.

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The stakes couldn’t be higher this Saturday evening as Clare host Tipperary in Round 3 of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship at Cusack Park, Ennis (6pm, live on GAA+). With both counties sitting on a single point after two rounds, this clash could define their summer.

Clare are favourites at 4/9 to win on home soil, with a -3 handicap set by the bookies. After their spirited second-half comeback against Waterford fell just short, Brian Lohan’s men will be desperate to get their Munster campaign back on track.

Recent Form

• Clare drew with Cork and lost to Waterford.
• Tipperary drew with Limerick and lost to Cork.

Last Five Championship Meetings

• 2024: Clare 1-24 Tipperary 0-24 (Munster Round Robin)
• 2023: Tipperary 5-22 Clare 3-23 (Munster Round Robin)
• 2022: Clare 3-21 Tipperary 2-16 (Munster Round Robin)
• 2021: Tipperary 3-23 Clare 2-22 (Munster Semi-Final)
• 2019: Tipperary 3-21 Clare 0-17 (Munster Round Robin)

Clare have won two of the last three, but Tipperary still lead the all-time championship series 40 wins to Clare’s 16, with four draws from the previous 60.

Championship Trends and Key Stats

• Tipp’s last Munster championship win was against Clare in April 2023. Since then, they’ve drawn three (v Waterford, Limerick, and Clare) and lost six.
• Clare and Waterford are the lowest-scoring teams in this year’s Munster SHC (51 points each).
• Tipperary have the worst defensive record, conceding 68 points so far.

In the 2024 Allianz League, Tipperary beat Clare by 0-22 to 1-18 in Thurles – but that result won’t faze the Banner on home turf.

Munster SHC Table (After 2 Rounds)

1. Cork – 3 pts
2. Limerick – 3 pts
3. Waterford – 2 pts
4. Clare – 1 pt
5. Tipperary – 1 pt

Fixture Details

Munster SHC Round 3

Clare v Tipperary

Cusack Park, Ennis – 6pm

Live on GAA+

Prediction: Clare to Cover -3 Handicap

With home advantage, a tighter defence, and greater urgency, Clare look well placed to cover the -3 handicap at 4/9. Tipperary’s defensive issues and lack of recent championship wins make this a must-win for Brian Lohan’s side—and they should rise to the occasion.

Tip: Clare -3 Handicap

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