Anthony Daly is predicting a Tipperary win on Sunday.

The two-time Clare All-Ireland winning captain, who will be involved in the preceding minor final as Limerick coach, expects Tipp to take advantage of Michael Fennelly's absence from the Kilkenny engine room.

"I think if you look at Tipp's overall strength in the championship, coupled with the loss of Michael Fennelly for Kilkenny, then you have to give them a great chance," he commented on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland.

"Tipp had to peak in Munster where they dismantled Waterford in the final. We then saw how good Waterford were against Kilkenny.

"Tipperary didn't set the world on fire against Galway the last day but they got there. I think they are in that slightly better position going into the final even though the whole Kilkenny thing is a huge barrier for them.

"I think they are ready to shake off that barrier and to say this is our time now to make a statement and beat Kilkenny."

Daly also feels Tipp's direct style of hurling can prove decisive.

"Michael Ryan has adopted a more direct style of play this year as compared to the Eamon O'Shea style and it's really paying dividends," he continued.

"They have gone long in supplying good ball into the likes Dan McCormack and Patrick Maher, who certainly is back to his best at centre forward. I think they won't deviate too much from that.

"Their full-back line is very settled. Seamus Kennedy and Ronan Maher have been massive finds in the half-back line and then there's Michael Breen, an absolutely massive find in midfield.

"I was looking forward to the clash of Fennelly and the young buck Breen. John McGrath up front has been the shining light of the championship as regards forward play."

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