Tipperary are expected to name an unchanged team for Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final, meaning there will be no starting place for Brendan Maher.

A broken ankle sustained in a freak domestic accident earlier this year has so far limited the 2010 Young Hurler of the Year to a substitute role in this year's championship. He was introduced at half-time in Tipp's hard-earned semi-final win over Dublin, but doesn't look like forcing his way into the starting line-up for the final.

"Brendan Maher has done everything asked of him to get back to where he is and right now he's back at 100 per cent fitness, ready to go," Tipp manager Declan Ryan said last week.

"Training has gone well since the Dublin game, and although you can never be entirely happy with training, we're very happy. And from an injury point of view at the moment anyway it looks good, touch wood."

Maher replaced half forward Patrick "Bonner" Maher in the Dublin game, but his preferred position is midfield where Shane McGrath and Gearoid Ryan have formed a solid partnership for the All-Ireland champions this year. Tweet

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