Dublin’s Chris Mooney will be the man in the middle when Kilkenny takes on Antrim in Corrigan Park this weekend. The national hurling league gets underway for 2023 on Saturday with the Cats out at 2 pm.
See also: Tickets on sale for Kilkenny’s Allianz National Hurling League opener with Antrim
Conor Johnston, Conor McCann, Ciaran Clarke, and Domhnall Nugent were ruled out of The Saffrons Walsh Cup campaign, which saw Antrim lose all three fixtures. Dublin, Westmeath, and Galway all recorded victories over Darren Gllesons men, who hope to see their fortunes turn around ahead of their Corrigan Cup clash with Kilkenny.
Kilkenny meanwhile only suffered defeat in their final game of the pre-season cup competition when they played Wexford in an electric Chadwicks Park. Over the course of the three games we got to witness many new players getting their chance in the Black and Amber.
See also: A special night for Wexford ends in defeat for Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup round 3
Speaking to Scoreline at the weekend two time All Ireland winner and Dicksboro manager Micheal Walsh expects Derek Lyng to pick his strongest squad available, with fewer players getting chances;
“Antrim has struggled badly in the Walsh Cup, it was not like them to struggle as badly. However, I do expect them to be a different Antrim next Saturday.”
“They have a good record in Corrigan Park. It’s a very tight pitch and it’s a very good atmosphere up there and it will be a great occasion.”
“So I think that Kilkenny management won’t blood as many as five or six (new players) at any one time. They don’t want to get exposed to a bad start in the league and they want to go to Corrigan Park and make sure of the points. So I think they will er more on the side of caution.”
Carlow’s clash with Kildare in Division 2A will have Waterford’s Thomas Walsh overseeing proceedings in Netwatch Cullen Park.
Listen back to the full interview on Scoreline Extra below:
