Maher hopeful for Sunday

Brendan Maher believes Tipperary can defeat Kilkenny in the All-Ireland SHC final on Sunday.

Tipp looked to be in charge in the 2009 final against the Cats, only to fall to two late goals as Kilkenny became the second county after Cork to win four successive titles.

A Henry Shefflin penalty and Martin Comerford goal denied Tipp a first Liam McCarthy Cup since 2001, with Kilkenny goalkeeper PJ Ryan instrumental in denying the Premier County earlier in the game.

Maher said that the Tipperary supporters had helped the team through that disappointment.

Maher said: "Directly after the game we were distraught but the reception we got the day afterwards in Thurles just showed how much the people of Tipperary were behind us - proud, to be honest.

"Still no All-Ireland medal in the pocket though and that's what we're looking for this year. We know if we can perform we can win. So we're looking for a performance."