Premier Cats

Kilkenny have named nine of their All-Ireland team for Sunday’s hurling challenge against Tipperary at Nowlan Park.

The game is being organised by the Tullaroan club to raise funds for a player who lost an eye in an accidental clash during a club match last year.

John Coogan (aged 24) has not worked since and the club started a benefit fund which has been generously supported so far.

Kilkenny have rested Michael Kavanagh and Eddie Brennan from the team beaten by Galway in the league last weekend.

JJ Delaney and Tommy Walsh are unavailable because of Fitzgibbon Cup duty while John Maher has been relegated to the subs.

The five newcomers are Mark Phelan, Eddie Mackey, Jimmy Coogan, Aidan Fogarty and John Hoyne, who came off the bench against Galway to score a terrific goal.