ALL-IRELAND champions, Kilkenny will field a whole new team when they entertain Dublin in Leinster intermediate hurling championship at Nowlan Park this evening (Wednesday).
All the players who turned out in the Leinster championship or got a run in last year's final are ineligible to play, so manager Pat Hoban and selectors Paschal Connolly (Clara), P.J. Kenny (Lisdowney) and Tommy Brennan (Erin's Own) have had to sprea
d their net far and wide in order to build a new team.
"We used 20 in the All-Ireland final, so that caught us this time," explained Mr Hoban. "We are not cribbing. Those are the rules. We got a terrific response from players all over the county, and we are ready to have a go."
The Mullinavat official accepted that it would be "a huge challenge" to go well in the competition this year, but the players and management were eager.
The concentration during the build up has been on playing matches. The squad has played nearly 10 games, and the players have knitted together nicely.
Players like Paul Murphy (Danesfort), Jon Jo Farrell (Thomastown), Ciaran Mooney (Conahy Shamrocks) and Conor Fogarty (Erin's Own) have been taken from the county under-21 squad, while the experienced Eoin Guinan (St Lachtain's) is another who could make a huge difference.
The Dubs were also visitors to Nowlan Park 12 months ago. On that occasion the tie went to extra-time before the Cats sneaked through.
Kilkenny (IH v Dublin) - Tom Brophy, Kieran Mooney, James Cahill, Peter Donovan, John Cottrell, Ray Cody, Conor Fogarty, Paul Murphy, Tony Woodcock, Eddie Brennan, Niall Kennedy, Brian Lannon, Martin Boran, Jon Jo Farrell, Eoin Guinan.
