Kilkenny to prove too strong

Kilkenny v Antrim: KILKENNY ARE zeroing in on retaining last year's treble of all the elite intercounty All-Irelands. With the seniors and minors safely ensconced for the first Sunday of next month it's the turn of the under-21s for what promises to be the most straightforward of the semi-finals.

The champions had to scramble a bit against Dublin in the Leinster final but were under-strength for the match but welcome back all of the injured parties for what is a full muster.

Antrim have been off the pace at the grade in Ulster over the past couple of years, but have a better side this year.

Injuries to a number of senior players meant that the management team of Terence McNaughton and Dominic McKinley – in what is believed to be the last match of their senior and under-21 tenure – had to draft in younger replacements during the season, which gives this afternoon’s expected team the benefit of plenty of top-class experience.

The champions will, however, be too strong.

KILKENNY: C McGrath; P Murphy, P Nolan, C Fogarty; L Ryan, D Langton, M Walsh; M Kelly, L Ryan; C Fennelly, M Bergin, J Mulhall; R Hogan, JJ Farrell, J Nolan.

ANTRIM: tbc

Referee: A Stapleton (Laois).