Galway ready as Cats bring out big guns

IT was two years ago in Ballinasloe that Kilkenny manager Brian Cody first unveiled some of the talent that would go on to help Kilkenny to back-to-back All-Ireland titles.

Kilkenny lost 0-15 to 0-9, but look what they gained. JJ Delaney, last year's player of the year, at corner-back, Richie Mullally in midfield, double Allstar Martin Comerford at full-forward, Derek Lyng at centre-forward. Others such as Pat Tennyson, Aidan Cummins were also handed starting roles.

Tomorrow at Pearse Stadium, Delaney, Mullally, Lyng and Comerford are all in the starting line-up as Kilkenny bid to get their unprecedented treble double attempt back on track, following a surprising opening- round home loss to Waterford last week.