KILKENNY senior panellists Richie Doyle and Kieran Joyce have both been named in the starting 15 for the county’s intermediate team that do battle with Wexford in the Leinster IHC final in Nowlan Park tonight at 7.30pm.

AN Emmet Kent free in the 61st minute saw Wexford emerge with the narrowest of victories over arch rivals Kilkenny in an enthralling Leinster Under 21 hurling championship quarter-final at Wexford Park last night.

THE primary focus in Kilkenny hurling this week may be on Brian Cody’s trip with his senior team to the south-east next Saturday night for their provincial battle with Wexford but before that, their U21 counterparts get set for a similar journey tonight.

Kilkenny 3-16 NUI Galway 2-12

Galway 2-15 Kilkenny 2-11

Kilkenny 1-21 Tipperary 2-16

TWELVE months ago Kilkenny ousted Tipperary by eight points in the All-Ireland MHC semi-final and all the signs point to a repeat when the sides convene for another minor hurling showdown in Croke Park tomorrow at noon.