All the talk on Friday – if you read Ger Loughnane’s interview on GAA.ie – was how Kilkenny were a one-man team, dependent on TJ Reid and perhaps, as the Clare man put it, Richie Hogan to a certain extent.
Read: Kilkenny v Offaly match preview
Well, interview aside, Kilkenny will make their first league start without TJ Reid in the lineup as Brian Cody makes wholesale changes to his side set to face Offaly in Nowlan Park this Sunday.
Listen: Brian Cody speaks to KCLR ahead of Offaly fixture
Eoin Murphy and Colin Fennelly return to the starting lineup following injury while Michael Fennelly makes his first start of the season. Joey Holden makes way at number three with Robert Lennon taking up his role, Paul Murphy and Shane Prendergast either side of him at full back.
Conor O’Shea (Clara) starts in the half back line while Kilkenny’s front lines feature Kevin Kelly, Liam Blanchfield, Jonjo Farrell and Carrickshock’s John Power.
Richie Hogan does not feature in the match day squad.
Read: Kilkenny v Offaly match preview
Kilkenny Team To Face Offaly
[table]
1,Eoin Murphy,Glenmore
2,Paul Murphy,Danesfort
3,Robert Lennon,Bennettsbridge
4,Shane Prendergast,Clara
5,Conor O Shea,Clara
6,Kieran Joyce,Rower Inistioge
7,Cillian Buckley,Dicksboro
8,Michael Fennelly,Ballyhale Shamrocks
9,Lester Ryan,Clara
10,Walter Walsh,Tullogher Rosbercon
11,Colin Fennelly,Ballyhale Shamrocks
12,Kevin Kelly,St Patrick’s
13,Liam Blanchfield,Bennettsbridge
14,Jonjo Farrell,Thomastown
23,John Power,Carrickshock
16,Richie Reid,Ballyhale Shamrocks
17,Jackie Tyrrell,James Stephens
18,Joey Holden,Ballyhale Shamrocks
19,Padraig Walsh,Tullaroan
20,Brian Kennedy,St Lachtain’s
21,Diarmuid Cody,James Stephens
22,TJ Reid,Ballyhale Shamrocks
15,Chris Bolger,Clara
24,James Maher,St Lachtain’s
25,Conor Martin,Emeralds
26,Michael Malone,Mullinavat
[/table]
We’ll have live commentary of Kilkenny v Offaly from Nowlan Park at 3.45pm Sunday with thanks to Countrystyle Foods, Granagh, Kilmacow – “as local as it gets”.
See also: Kilkenny v Offaly match preview
