Kilkenny team named for Allianz League opener with Offaly on Sunday

Kilkenny have named four league debutants as they face Offaly in their opening Division 1 clash in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon.

Rory Garrett (Fenians), David Barcoe (Clara), Cathal Beirne (Glenmore) and Liam Moore (Dicksboro) will all be starting at this level for the first time and they will be eager to impress against an Offaly side that will be hoping to cause an upset.

Elsewhere the experience of Mikey Butler, Eoin Cody and Mossy Keoghan could prove crucial while there is another outing for Mikey Carey at full-back as Derek Lyng continues the search to replace all-star Huw Lawlor.

LISTEN: The Derek Lyng Interview - Kilkenny People Sport Podcast

Shamrocks Ballyhale player Darragh Corcoran will stand in as captain in TJ Reid's absence as the Cats look to kick off their league campaign on a winning note.

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

Kilkenny team to face Offaly- Aidan Tallis; Mikey Butler, Mikey Carey, Rory Garrett; David Barcoe, Darragh Corcoran, Shane Murphy; Killian Doyle, Jordan Molloy; Luke Connellan, Eoin Cody, Cathal Beirne; Gearoid Dunne, Liam Moore, Mossy Keoghan.

Subs- Eoin Murphy, Niall Rowe, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan, Peter McDonald, Stephen Donnelly, Niall Shortall, Timmy Clifford, Ed McDermott, Adam Croke, Michael Brennan.

Read Next- The Derek Lyng Interview - what can we expect from Kilkenny in 2026?