Brian Cody is keeping faith with the fifteen that started against Waterford on Sunday last as the Kilkenny chief and his selectors named an unchanged side for Saturday evening’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-final replay.
Kilkenny team to face Waterford
[table]
No,Player,Club
1,Eoin Murphy,Glenmore
2,Paul Murphy,Danesfort
3,Joey Holden,Ballyhale Shamrocks
4,Shane Prendergast(Capt),Clara
5,Padraig Walsh,Tullaroan
6,Kieran Joyce,Rower Inistioge
7,Cillian Buckley,Dicksboro
8,Conor Fogarty,Erins Own
9,Michael Fennelly,Ballyhale Shamrocks
10,Walter Walsh,Tullogher Rosbercon
11,T J Reid,Ballyhale Shamrocks
12,John Power,Carrickshock
13,Jonjo Farrell,Thomastown
14,Colin Fennelly,Ballyhale Shamrocks
15,Richie Hogan,Danesfort
[/table]
Kilkenny Bench
[table]
No, Player, Club
16,Richie Reid,Ballyhale Shamrocks
17,Jackie Tyrrell,James Stephens
18,Robert Lennon,Bennettsbridge
19,Conor O Shea,Clara
20,Lester Ryan,Clara
21,Eoin Larkin,James Stephens
22,Conor Martin,Emeralds
23,Kevin Kelly,St Patricks
24,Mark Bergin,O’Loughlin Gaels
25,Liam Blanchfield,Bennettsbridge
26,Michael Malone,Mullinavat
[/table]
The team news can be taken as a sign that on paper Kilkenny have recovered well enough for Saturday’s clash after a thrilling and bruising encounter in Croke Park last weekend.
Eoin Larkin and Lester Ryan, both called into action at the first time of asking, start from the bench. A lot has been put on Kilkenny during the week around their championship record when it comes to replays but as Cody keeps reiterating time and again, ultimately, it’s all about what happens on the day.
At time of writing, Waterford’s team is yet to be announced.
We’ll be bringing you live commentary and analysis Saturday evening on air and online from 6.35pm for every puck of the ball, all the way to the final whistle, with thanks to Affidea.