Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has made four changes from the side that lost to Waterford ahead of Sunday’s trip to Clare in Division One A of the National Hurling League.
Evan Cody’s in at right-corner-back with Cillian Buckley moving to midfield.
In the forwards there are starts for Walter Walsh, Kevin Kelly and Richie Leahy.
Kilkenny Team – Allianz League Round 2 v Clare
1 (GK) Eoin Murphy Glenmore
2 Evan Cody Dicksboro
3 Padraig Walsh Tullaroan
4 Conor O Shea Clara
5 Joey Holden Ballyhale Shamrocks
6 Paul Murphy Danesfort
7 Kieran Joyce Rower Inistioge
8 Conor Fogarty Erins Own
9 Cillian Buckley Dicksboro
10 Liam Blanchfield Bennettsbridge
11 T J Reid Ballyhale Shamrocks
12 Richie Leahy Rower Inistioge
13 Richie Hogan Danesfort
14 Walter Walsh Tullogher Rosbercon
15 Kevin Kelly St Patricks
16 (GK) Richie Reid Ballyhale Shamrocks
17 Shane Prendergast Clara
18 Michael Walsh Young Irelands
19 Robert Lennon Bennettsbridge
20 Conor Delaney Erins Own
21 Paddy Deegan O’Loughlin Gaels
22 Ollie Walsh Dicksboro
23 Jonjo Farrell Thomastown
24 Conor Martin Emeralds
25 Sean Morrissey Bennettsbridge
26 James Maher St Lachtains
Meanwhile Clare Senior Hurling Joint Managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor have named their starting 15.
Oisín O’Brien (Clonlara), David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona) and Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones na Sionna) come in for Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge) and Ballyea’s Jack Browne and Tony Kelly who have returned to the Ballyea club ahead of the All Ireland Senior Hurling Club Championship Final.
Crusheen’s Cian Dillon captains the Clare team in the absence of the absent Vice-Captain Kelly and Captain Pat O’Connor (Tubber) who is recovering from a shoulder injury.
Clare Starting 15 versus Kilkenny (Allianz NHL 2017):
1. Donal Tuohy (Crusheen)
2. Oisín O’Brien (Clonlara)
3. Cian Dillon (Crusheen) Captain
4. Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
5. Brendan Bugler (Whitegate)
6. Conor Cleary (Kilmaley)
7. Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge)
8. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
9. David Reidy (Éire Óg)
10. Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
11. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
12. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
13. Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
14. John Conlon (Clonlara)
15. Shane O Donnell (Éire Óg)
Substitutes:
16. Andrew Fahy (Whitegate)
17. Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)
18. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
19. Pat Donnellan (O’Callaghan’s Mills)
20. Jason McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
21. Bobby Duggan (Clarecastle)
22. Cathal McInerney (Cratloe)
23. Shane McNamara (Clooney-Quin)
24. Conor O Donnell (Crusheen)
25. Eoin Quirke (Whitegate)
26. Kevin Hehir (Inagh-Kilnamona)
It will be interesting to see how Kilkenny respond to that one point defeat last week to Waterford, and Clare too will look to bounce back from their defeat to Cork.
A win here for either side would see them back in contention however a loss would leave a lot of work to do.
Again the spotlight will be on the Kilkenny full back line as they look to rebuild from the basement up and its great to see Richie Leahy at Wing Forward and Evan Cody at corner back getting their opportunity.
I expect to see a backlash from Kilkenny here and I fancy them to win to win this one even though Ennis is a hard spot to go to.
Last years League defeat to ‘The Banner’ will also act as motivation.
We have Full Live Commentary of the game on our Kilkenny Freqeuncy from 2pm on Sunday with thanks to Country Style Foods, Granagh, Kilmacow, Co.Kilkenny.
