Brian Cody has named his starting fifteen that will face Clare in the crucial Allianz National Hurling League that takes place in Nowlan Park at 14:00 on Sunday.
Cody has decided to alter his line-up with four changes from the side that were beaten 2-22 to 1-13 against Tipperary in the last round. Cillian Buckley, Lester Ryan, and Richie Hogan have lost their places in the matchday squad along with their starting positions while Ger Aylward drops to the bench.
Brian Kennedy makes his first start at midfield for the Cats having lined out at wing-back in the Tipperary defeat. He is partnered by Joe Lyng in the centre of the park with Lyng being one of the new additions to the team for the Clare clash. Willie Phelan, Kevin Kelly and Tomás Keogh are also new faces to the Kilkenny outfit for this weekend.
Glenmore’s Eoin Murphy is named between the sticks while Shane Prendergast is joined by the experienced duo of Paul Murphy and Jackie Tyrell in the full back line. Both Tomás Keogh and Willie Phelan are two of the changes made by Cody and the duo will line out as half-backs with Rower Inistioge’s Kieran Joyce in the middle of the pair.
Up front John Power will start at centre forward and he is flanked by Walter Walsh and Matthew Ruth. The inside line sees Jonjo Farrell and Mark Kelly in the two corners with Kevin Kelly at full-forward.
To many observers it may seem a very inexperienced Kilkenny team but it is a side brimming with young hurlers eager to make a point to their manager and they will be hoping to do that when they face Davy Fitzgerald’s Banner who will be without the services of half-backs Brendan Bugler and Patrick O’Connor due to suspension and injury respectively.
Throw in for Sunday’s big-game is at 14:00 and Clare FM will have full live commentary in association with Matt Waters Clare Fruit and Veg Market and Donie O’Keeffe Champion Meats Turnpike Road Ennis.
Kilkenny Team:
1: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)
2: Shane Prendergast (Clara)
3: Paul Murphy (Danesfort)
4: Jackie Tyrell (James Stephens)
5: Tomás Keogh (James Stephens)
6: Kieran Joyce (Rower Inistioge)
7: Willie Phelan (Dunnamaggin)
8: Joe Lyng (Rower Inistioge)
9: Brian Kennedy (St Lachtains)
10: Walter Walsh (Tulogher Rosbercon)
11: John Power (Carrickshock)
12: Matthew Ruth (James Stephens)
13: Jonjo Farrell (Thomastown)
14: Kevin Kelly (St Patricks)
15: Mark Kelly (O’Loughlin Gaels).
