Kilkenny hurling: Brian Cody's men will start in Walsh Cup on January 3

Kilkenny have been grouped with Kildare and Laois in the early season Bord na Móna Walsh Cup senior hurling tournament.

Brian Cody's Cats first game will be on January 3.

Group 1 - Wexford, Carlow, Wicklow.

Group 2 - Kilkenny, Kildare, Laois.

Group 3 - Dublin, Antrim, Meath.

Group 4 - Offaly, Westmeath

The format is - round robin with first placed team advancing to semi-finals.

Offaly and Westmeath will play each other home and away with aggregate score deciding who tops Group 4.

Dates - December 30, January 3, January 7. The semi-finals will be played on January 14 and the final will be on January 21.

Opening fixtures on December 30 - Carlow v Wicklow; Kildare v Laois; Meath v Antrim; Offaly v Westmeath.