Kilkenny welcome Waterford to UPMC Nowlan Park this Sunday afternoon in the final round of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B.
With the Déise (7 points) already assured of a place in next weekend’s league sem-final, Kilkenny (6 points) must take a win or draw to guarantee their own semi-final berth.
If Waterford were to win, Laois were to overturn Dublin and Tipperary beat Antrim, we would see the Premier advanced to the penultimate stage of the league. A win for Dublin with defeat for Kilkenny would also send the Dubs through.
Some of the Shamrocks selection have been made available for this weekend’s games with Richie Reid replacing Paddy Deegan at halfback while Adrian Mullen looks set to start in place of Tom Phelan at left half-forward. The 2021 Young Player of the Year, Eoin Cody is named on the bench alongside clubmate Darragh Corcoran.
Here’s how Kilkenny are set to line out.
Kilkenny team v Waterford
| Number | Name | Club |
| 1 (GK) | Eoin Murphy | Glenmore |
| 2 | Mikey Butler | O’Loughlin Gaels |
| 3 | Huw Lawlor | O’Loughlin Gaels |
| 4 | Tommy Walsh | Tullaroan |
| 5 | Mikey Carey | Young Irelands |
| 6 | Richie Reid | Shamrocks Ballyhale |
| 7 | David Blanchfield | Bennetsbridge |
| 8 | Cian Kenny | James Stephens |
| 9 | Cillian Buckley | Dicksboro |
| 10 | Walter Walsh | Tullogher Rosbercon |
| 11 | Padraig Walsh | Tullaroan |
| 12 | Adrian Mullen | Shamrocks Ballyhale |
| 13 | Billy Ryan | Graigue-Ballycallan |
| 14 | Martin Keoghan | Tullaroan |
| 15 | Alan Murphy | Glenmore |
| 16 (GK) | Darren Brennan | St Lachtains |
| 17 | Darragh Corcoran | Shamrocks Ballyhale |
| 18 | Conor Delaney | Erin’s Own |
| 19 | James Maher | St Lachtains |
| 20 | Matt Kenny | Clara |
| 21 | John Donnelly | Thomastown |
| 22 | Eoin Cody | Shamrocks Ballyhale |
| 23 | Richie Hogan | Danesfort |
| 24 | Tadhg O’Dwyer | James Stephens |
| 25 | James Bergin | Conahy Shamrocks |
| 26 | Shane Walsh | Tullaroan |
We’ll be live from UPMC Nowlan Park at 1.45pm this Sunday afternoon with Robbie Dowling and Michael Walsh on commentary duty.
The game – like all others this season – is an all-ticket affair and tickets must be bought in advance either online or through selected local Centra and Supervalu stores.
There will be no ticket sales on the ground for match day and Kilkenny GAA are advising that ticket holders should arrive early as there may be potential delays with scanners. If you’re heading to the game, you’ll find parking nearby at O’Loughlin Gaels, the Newpark Primary Care centre and MacDonagh Junction.