New faces to the fore as Kilkenny enjoy Walsh Cup Shield win over Laois

Kilkenny belatedly got their 2026 season underway with a 13 point victory over Laois in wet and windy conditions in Rathdowney earlier this afternoon.

A goal in each half from Gearoid Dunne and Liam Moore as well as big showings from Cathal Beirne, Michael Brennan and Eoin Cody was enough for Derek Lyng's team to advance to the Walsh Cup Shield Final next weekend.

Derek Lyng got a look at 22 players in total and as a contest, his team quickly put the result to bed as they raced into a 1-5 to 0-0 after only seven minutes with Liam Moore netting the goal on his competitive debut and Eoin Cody and Cathal Beirne adding to the point tally.

While the home team eventually got going through scores from Tomas Keyes, Jack Kelly and Aaron Dunphy, it was the Noresiders who made full use of the wind at their backs with Eoin Cody scoring another three points before the break as Kilkenny led 1-10 to 0-5 at the change of ends.

Conditions worsened after the break and Laois did have a golden opportunity to work their way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty but Lisdowney's Aidan Tallis produced a massive save to deny Aaron Dunphy.

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Shortly afterwards Gearoid Dunne notched Kilkenny's second major after being assisted by Eoin Cody and it was plain sailing from there to the final whistle.

Last year's under 20-star Michael Brennan scored five points in his 20 minute cameo off the bench and though Laois battled away with further scores from James Keyes and Jack Kelly, Kilkenny were well clear on the scoreboard by the end with all-star forward Mossy Keoghan also coming on for his seasonal debut.

It all means that Kilkenny will face Kildare in the shield decider as both counties get another competitive outing before the start of the league.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- Eoin Cody (0-7, 5fs); Michael Brennan (0-5, 4fs); Gearoid Dunne, Liam Moore (1-1 each); Cathal Beirne (0-3)

Laois- Aaron Dunphy (0-4, 4fs); Jack Kelly (0-4); Tomas Keyes, James Keyes (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Aidan Tallis (Lisdowney); Rory Garrett (Fenians), Mikey Carey (Young Irelands), Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh); Conor McMahon (Erin's Own), Darragh Corcoran (Shamrocks Ballyhale), Shane Murphy (Glenmore); Killian Doyle (Emeralds), Peter McDonald (Thomastown); Luke Connellan (Thomastown), Eoin Cody (Shamrocks Ballyhale), Cathal Beirne (Glenmore); Liam Moore (Dicksboro), Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon), Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan).

Subs: Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro) for McDonald, h-t; Michael Brennan (Erin's Own) for Connellan, 39 mins; Jordan Molloy (O'Loughlin Gaels) for McMahon, 39 mins; Cillian Hackett (Dicksboro) for Dunne, 49 mins; Mossy Keoghan (Tullaroan) for Cody, 49 mins; James Walsh (Kilmacow) for Murphy, 53 mins; Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan) for Beirne, 53 mins.

Laois- Eoin Reilly; Padraic Dunne, Ian Shanahan, Cody Comerford; Eoghan Murphy, Padraig Delaney, Ryan Mullaney; Aidan Corby, Fiachra C Fennell; David Dooley, Jack Kelly, Aaron Dunphy; Colin Byrne, Cillian Dunne, Tomas Keyes.

Subs: James Keyes for Dunphy, h-t; Eoin Gaughan for Murphy, 43 mins; Ciaran McEvoy for Mullaney, 43 mins; Padraig Rafter for Corby, 48 mins; Donnchadh Hartnett for Dunne, 53 mins.

Referee- Gearoid McGrath (Wexford)