Callan calls as Brian Dowling faces native Kilkenny in Walsh Shield Final

There will be silverware on the line when Kilkenny and Kildare meet in the Walsh Cup Shield final at John Locke Park in Callan on Sunday (throw-in 2pm).

It will be the last opportunity for Derek Lyng to get a look at some new Kilkenny talent in advance of the opening league clash with Offaly on Sunday week, so it will be more than a worthwhile exercise.

It will also be a reunion of sorts for the man in opposition to Lyng with former Kilkenny teammate Brian Dowling leading his Kildare side into action - it will be the first time he has managed against his own county.

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The game will be the first of two meetings against the Cats for Dowling with Kildare also travelling to Noreside when they meet Kilkenny in the Leinster Championship in UPMC Nowlan Park in May as they make the step up from winning the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2025.

The preseason final offers both sides the opportunity to test new things out ahead of the beginning of the Allianz League and from a Kilkenny point of view, it’s another chance to see the younger crop in action.

The likes of Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh), Rory Garrett (Fenians), Cathal Beirne (Glenmore), Liam Moore (Dicksboro) and Michael Brennan (Erin’s Own) will be looking to continue where they left off in their opening Walsh Cup encounter with Laois as the Kilkenny management throw their eye over the new talent in the squad.

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