Losing two-time All-Star winning defender JJ Delaney gave Kilkenny "extra motivation" to win the All-Ireland SHC title, according to the Cats' wing forward Richie Power.

A knee injury has ended Donnacha Cody's hopes of playing in his first All-Ireland SHC final on Sunday.

Paddy Hogan and Richie Power have been brought into the Kilkenny side for Saturday's Erin All-Ireland Under-21 hurling semi-final against Galway (Tullamore, throw-in 6.30pm).

John Tennyson and James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, who both started last weekend's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final defeat of Galway, have been named in the Kilkenny side for tonight's Erin Leinster U21 hurling final (Nowlan Park, throw-in 7.30pm).

Dublin U21 manager Sean Lane has no injury worries to report ahead of Thursday's Erin Leinster U-21 hurling final against Kilkenny (throw-in 7.30pm).

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has wielded the axe for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Galway, dropping his own son Donnacha and team captain Jackie Tyrell (Semple Stadium, throw-in 6pm).

Kilkenny 1-23 Wexford 2-12

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has been forced to make three changes to his side for tomorrow evening's Leinster SHC semi-final against Westmeath at Cusack Park (throw-in 7.00pm).

Noel Hickey and Henry Shefflin have both been included in the Kilkenny team for tomorrow's (Sunday's) NHL Division One semi-final clash with Tipperary (Semple Stadium, throw-in 3.15pm).

Galway 0-10 Kilkenny 1-16

Martin Comerford will make his first start of the National Hurling League when Kilkenny take on Antrim in Division 1B tomorrow (Nowlan Park, throw-in 1.00pm).

In a bid to freshen up his options for the 2006 season, Kilkenny boss Brian Cody has omitted seven regular players from his squad for the upcoming Walsh Cup and National League campaigns.

James Stephens 1-18 Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-12

St Kieran’s, Kilkenny 3-20, St Raphael’s, Loughrea 1-6