David Blanchfield set to start as Kilkenny name unchanged team

Derek Lyng has named an unchanged team for Kilkenny's All-Ireland showdown with Limerick on Sunday, as David Blanchfield has apparently won his fitness battle.

The influential wing-back had been struggling to regain fitness after suffering a blow to his chest in the semi-final win over Clare.

While teams named in advance are subject to change, Cats fans will be hopeful Lyng starts the 15 named Friday morning.

The Kilkenny wing-back line will be vital to curbing the influence of Limerick's devastating half-forward unit, with Blanchield and Paddy Deegan named to start on either side of Richie Reid.

Tom Phelan at wing-forward will be playing in his first All-Ireland final, but Lyng will be banking on his players learning from last year's final defeat to Limerick.

He will also be planning on a big impact from his bench, with multiple All-Ireland winners such as Padraig Walsh, Walter Walsh and Richie Hogan held in reserve, along with early season sharpshooter Billy Drennan, who is working his way back to fitness.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Conor Fogarty, Adrian Mullen; Tom Phelan, Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody (capt).

Subs: D Brennan, C Delaney, C Buckley, P Walsh, D Corcoran, A Murphy, C Kenny, T Clifford, W Walsh, R Hogan, B Drennan.