EIGHT OF THE Kilkenny team that started in last September’s All-Ireland final replay triumph are in the side to face Galway in tomorrow’s opening game of the Allianz Hurling League.
The Division 1A clash in Pearse Stadium sees manager Brian Cody forced into several changes due to injuries.
The newcomers include goalkeeper Eoin Murphy – who starred in attack this week for Waterford IT in the Fitzgibbon Cup – wing-back Conor Fogarty and midfielder Lester Ryan, who recently won an All-Ireland IHC medal with his club Clara.
Established attackers Colin Fennelly and Aidan Fogarty get starting berths while Tom Breen and Matthew Ruth are also drafted into the forward line.
Injuries rule the likes of Cillian Buckley, TJ Reid, Henry Shefflin and Walter Walsh out of the equation.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Paul Murphy (Danesfort), JJ Delaney (Fenians), Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens); Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Kieran Joyce (Rower-Inistioge), Conor Fogarty (Erins Own); Lester Ryan (Clara), Richie Power (Carrickshock); Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Michael Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Matthew Ruth (James Stephens); Tom Breen (St Martin’s), Richie Hogan (Danesfort), Aidan Fogarty (Emeralds).
The Kilkenny substitutes have also been named for the game.
Subs: David Herity (Dunnamaggin), Brian Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Paddy Hogan (Danesfort), Eoin Larkin (James Stephens), Mark Kelly (O’Loughlin Gaels), Mark Bergin (O’Loughlin Gaels, Willie Phelan (Dunnamaggin), Joe Brennan (St Patrick’s), Tomas Keogh (James Stephen’s), Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan).
Waterford boss Michael Ryan has named only seven of the side that started in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Cork for their Division 1A trip to Ennis to face Clare tomorrow.
Stephen O’Keeffe, Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors, Michael Walsh, Kevin Moran, Seamus Prendergast and Pauric Mahony are the survivors from that line-up.
Some of the notable inclusions are Shane and Brian O’Sullivan who both spent last summer in the USA, Dean Twomey who has impressed at club level for De La Salle and young attackers Brian O’Halloran, Jake Dillon and Gavin O’Brien.
WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner); Shane Fives (Carrigtwohill), Liam Lawlor (Fourmilewater), Noel Connors (Passage); Jamie Nagle (Dungarvan), Michael Walsh (Stradbally), Kevin Moran (De La Salle); Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner), Dean Twomey (De La Salle); Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg), Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore), Jake Dillon (De La Salle); Gavin O’Brien (Roanmore), Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner), Brian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner).
