New faces to the fore during opening rounds of Kilkenny Senior Hurling League

O’Loughlin Gaels player Ruarc Sweeney has had a dream start to his senior career with seven goals in his first two games | Willie Dempsey

placeholder image — O’Loughlin Gaels player Ruarc Sweeney has had a dream start to his senior career with seven goals in his first two games | Willie Dempsey

A couple of players have been out to catch the eye of Kilkenny senior manager Henry Shefflin

After two rounds of the St Canice’s Senior Hurling League, there is a clear injection of youth across the board as clubs in the county give new players an opportunity to impress.

The nine goals shared between Ruarc Sweeney (O’Loughlin Gaels, four) and Niall Shortall (Shamrocks Ballyhale, five) in last week’s league affair in Thomastown was just one example of lads taking their chance with the new Kilkenny senior management undoubtedly watching proceedings from afar.

They aren’t the only two players to put their hand up for inter-county selection in the future with the Erin’s Own trio of Josh Dowling, Eoin Brennan and Kevin Buggy, Ben Whitty of Danesfort, Thomastown’s Daithi Barron, Aaron McEvoy of Graigue Ballycallan and Jake Mullen of Shamrocks Ballyhale just a selection of players that have stood out for their clubs in the opening two rounds.

Even the likes of Tullaroan’s Dylan Simpson who would be a bit older has stood out alongside 2025 Kilkenny players in the shape of Eoin Cody, Fionnan Mackessy, Paddy Deegan and Harry Shine amongst others.

Ahead of another busy league weekend, a lot of eyes will be on who catches the eye!