Familiar look to Cody’s Kilkenny despite absentees

All-Ireland champions Kilkenny, despite missing half of their team from last September’s final replay, still manage to name a side with no debutants for tomorrow’s trip to Páirc Uí Rinn to take on Munster champions Cork.

Between retirements, injury and Ballyhale’s club progress to the All-Ireland club final, Brian Cody has to cater for a lot of absentees but all of the starting 15 have played in the league. All Star corner back Paul Murphy is handed the task of filling JJ Delaney’s place at full back after the latter’s retirement last year.

Opponents Cork have named an experienced side and Jimmy Barry-Murphy gives Mallow’s Cormac Murphy his first league start.

Murphy was called up to the senior panel after last year’s league campaign ended, having played for the under-21s. Stephen McDonnell and Jamie Coughlan were unavailable because of injury.

Galway manager Anthony Cunningham has made three changes to the side that beat Dublin in last Saturday’s Walsh Cup final for the visit of Clare with John Hanbury, Iarla Tannian and Cathal Mannion included at the expense of Johnny Coen, Eanna Burke and Brian Molloy.

In Division One A, All-Ireland semi-finalists Limerick include Cian Lynch, a talented minor of recent years, in the team to take on Waterford tomorrow. Waterford will name their team tonight but are struggling with injuries.

Wexford welcome back Tomás Waters two years after a serious knee injury threatened to end his playing career. Selected at full back, he is captain for the visit of Antrim.