KILKENNY HAVE TAKEN the unusual step of not naming a starting XV for their Leinster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final replay in Tullamore on Saturday evening until just before throw-in.

No reason has been given for the delay with players like Michael Fennelly and Richie Power already ruled out of the game by manager Brian Cody.

Meanwhile Anthony Cunningham has kept faith with the same 15 players who started last Sunday’s drawn game in O’Connor Park.

In advance of the game, Gardai have advised fans not to travel to Tullamore if they don’t have a ticket as it is a complete sell-out.

Throw-in Saturday is 7pm.

Galway XV to play Kilkenny
1. Colm Callanan – Kinvara
2. Fergal Moore – Turloughmore
3. Ronan Burke – Turloughmore
4. David Collins – Liam Mellowes
5. Daithi Burke – Turloughmore
6. Iarlaith Tannian – Ardrahan
7. Johnny Coen – Loughrea
8. Andrew Smith – Portumna
9. Padraig Brehony – Tynagh Abbey Duniry
10. David Burke – St Thomas
11. Niall Burke – Oranmore Maree
12. Conor Cooney – St Thomas
13. Cathal Mannion – Ahascragh Fohenagh
14. Joe Canning – Portumna
15. Jason Flynn – Tommie Larkins

MDMA – ‘Darragh Nelson had never been to Hill 16, I thought that was sacreligious’

Here’s the GAA coverage to look forward to on TV and radio this weekend