Kilkenny boss Brian Cody may have suffered a major blow ahead of this afternoon's All-Ireland senior hurling final clash with Tipperary, with reports this morning that Adrian Mullen will miss the game through illness.
The 20-year-old attacker has been in excellent form for the Cats this campaign and is a heavy favourite to be crowned Young Hurler of the Year.
Independent.ie are reporting that Mullen was hospitalised in the last number of days, with the exact nature of the illness not yet known.
It's understood Mullen has travelled with the Kilkenny panel to Dublin this morning but may not play any part in this afternoon's game.
The Ballyhale Shamrocks star has scored 1-13 in total in the championship this year, and won Club Player of the Year. He is the third top scorer in the championship so far.
Brian Cody had made one change to his Kilkenny team from the semi-final win over Limerick.
Cillian Buckley comes into the side in place of Richie Leahy and partners Conor Browne in midfield. Meanwhile, Liam Sheedy made no changes to his Tipp side that triumphed over Wexford.
Therefore, Séamus Kennedy retains his place in the starting 15. Seamus Callanan will also captain the side.
Kilkenny Team
Eoin Murphy, Paul Murphy, Huw Lawlor, Joey Holden, Conor Fogarty, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan, Conor Browne, Cillian Buckley, John Donnelly, TJ Reid, Walter Walsh, Adrian Mullen, Colin Fennelly, Richie Hogan
Tipperary Team
Brian Hogan, Cathal Barrett, Barry Heffernan, Ronan Maher, Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher, Séamus Kennedy, Noel McGrath, Michael Breen, Dan McCormack, John O’Dwyer, Niall O’Meara, Jason Forde, Séamus Callanan, John McGrath.
In the curtain-raiser, reigning champions Galway take on Kilkenny in a repeat of last year's Electric Ireland minor decider. The Tribes won the 2018 final by seven points.
Action gets underway from 1pm this afternoon.
