Kilkenny Under 20 side named for Leinster opener with Wexford

The Kilkenny Under 20's will kick off their Leinster Championship campaign against Wexford in UPMC Nowlan Park this afternoon.

Mark Dowling in his second year at the helm of the side and he has named nine starters from last year's squad in Jeff Neary, Eoghan Lyng, Paddy Langton, Cillian Hackett, Harry Shine, Killian Doyle, Gearoid Dunne, Ivan Bolger and Ted Dunne.

Add in the likes of Stephen Manogue and Joe Fitzpatrick who are named on the bench and it certainly looks a very experienced team on paper.

Today's opponents defeated the Cats in last year's Leinster Semi-Final so a good early test is expected before Kilkenny round off the group stage away to Laois next weekend.

Throw-in from UPMC Nowlan Park is at 2pm.

Kilkenny team to face Wexford- Niall Holland (Tullaroan); Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan), Killian Corcoran (Shamrocks), Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh); Eoghan Lyng (Rower Inistioge), Bill Hughes (Bennettsbridge), Paddy Langton (Young Irelands); Cillian Hackett (Dicksboro, Captain), Killian Doyle (Emeralds); Niall Shortall (Shamrocks), Ted Dunne (Graignamanagh), Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan); Harry Shine (Dicksboro), Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon), Michael Brennan (Erins Own).

Subs- Stephen Manogue (James Stephens), Ryan Corcoran (Graigue Ballycallan), Joe Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin), Padraig O'Grady (Fenians), Greg Kelly (O'Loughlin Gaels), Aaron McEvoy (Graigue Ballycallan), Tom McPhillips (Dicksboro), Sean Moore (Carrickshock), James Walsh (Kilmacow).