GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 28 – June 20, 2015 | Page 55

best at this stage. However, they have a better overall balance to their team and should take this one. Limerick’s defense isn’t watertight and Tipp is a team that can take advantage. However, home advantage for Limerick can be crucial as they are a side that need a big support behind them. If the game was on in Croke Park, Tipp would be odds-on but in Limerick not quite so. Tipp’s overall moral has also been boosted when Noel McGrath attended a training session, after undergoing testicular cancer surgery some months ago. It is unclear if McGrath can make it back for the championship but if he can then Tipp can win the All Ireland. KILKENNY RETURN Of course standing in their way over the past number of years have been Kilkenny and the champions start things off on the road to a Croke Park return when meeting Wexford at home in Nolan Park. The Cats have had to deal with six retirements including three of the greatest players of all time – Henry Shefflin, Tommy Walsh and JJ Delaney. They have also had injuries to ace forwards Richie Power and Eoin Larkin through the league and will field without them. But their attack led possibly by Richie Hogan at center forward TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly should