John Mullane expects Kilkenny to inflict more Nowlan Park pain on Tipperary in the Allianz Hurling League final.

Tipp haven't won at the Kilkenny venue since the 2008 Allianz League semi-final, and the former Waterford star doesn't see them winning there again tomorrow.

"Beating Kilkenny and Cody on their home patch remains a big ask for Tipp," Mullane wrote in his Irish Independent column.

"Since that last win in 2008, Tipp have lost four League finals, and they trail Kilkenny 6-2 in national deciders in that time. They'll be anxious to close that gap.

"If this game was in Thurles, I'd be backing Tipp but I'm predicting that the Nowlan Park factor will shade it for the Cats - and secure a 20th national crown for Cody, in his 20th season at the helm.

"I predicted that this would be an uncertain campaign for Kilkenny in a previous column - but added that they would be dangerous if they could unearth a few players. There were suggestions that it was time for Cody to move on but I nailed my colours to the mast by insisting that there was no better man to oversee a transition.

"Even though they lost their opening League match down in Cork, there were elements of Kilkenny's game that impressed me - and they've improved incrementally since then."

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