SO many times it’s been said — goals win matches; so many times it’s been said also about this Kilkenny team, that they are a veritable goal-scoring machine. Well, not so yesterday.

THEY may have been safely ensconced in the Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-finals before throw-in, but that did not impinge on Cork IT’s focus against Dublin IT yesterday.

Galway 0-20 DIT 2-12

HENRY SHEFFLIN is to make his first appearance for Kilkenny this year in a senior hurling challenge against Waterford tomorrow.

Noel Hickey is set to make his first competitive start for Kilkenny since the 2008 All-Ireland final, after Brian Cody named the defender in his side to face Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds tomorrow.

NOEL HICKEY makes his long-awaited comeback from injury for Kilkenny tomorrow afternoon after he was named at full-back for their NHL Division 1 clash against Limerick.

Kilkenny 1-16 Limerick 0-13

Waterford IT 1-29 Limerick IT 1-24, Cork IT (after two periods of extra-time)

Kilkenny 1-11 Tipperary 0-11

Richie Hogan, Kilkenny's "super sub" from last week's drawn game, has been handed a starting role for today's Erin All-Ireland Under-21 hurling final replay against Tipperary (Semple Stadium, throw-in 3.30pm).

Galway 2-12 Kilkenny 1-24

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).

St Kieran’s, Kilkenny 2-13 Good Counsel, New Ross 2-10

Kilkenny and Galway lock horns again today in the All-Ireland minor hurling final replay at Tullamore.