New role for O'Neill

THE Kilkenny selectors are trying to turn their former All Star centre back, Pat O'Neill, into a full forward and have selected…

THE Kilkenny selectors are trying to turn their former All Star centre back, Pat O'Neill, into a full forward and have selected him to play in that position against Limerick on Sunday.

O'Neill has already played in the position in two matches and although he scored in both, he looked far from comfortable although the selectors are determined to persist with the experiment.

Kilkenny will be without John Power on Sunday. He has been suffering from a chest infection and a persistent flu and is expected to be out for at least another fortnight.

Despite receiving a serious hand injury in last Sunday's tournament defeat by Tipperary, captain Fergal Hartley has been named in the Waterford team to play London in the opening round of the national hurling league in Ruislip on Sunday next. There is a recall for Peter Queally at centre forward while Billy O'Sullivan is selected in the troublesome full forward position.