Cats deprived of key players for Galway clash

KILKENNY will be short ten of their All-Ireland winning squad for their opening Allianz NHL game against Galway at Pearse Stadium on Sunday.

Defenders Noel Hickey, PJ Delaney and Donnacha Cody and midfield players Derek Lyng and Michael Kavanagh are ruled out through injury, while the Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent of Henry Shefflin, Cha Fitzpatrick, Michael Fennelly and Eoin and TJ Reid are club-tied.

Galway have also been badly hit by absentees. With several players — including Joe Canning, Damien Hayes and Ollie Canning — ruled out through the involvement of Portumna and Cappataggle in the All-Ireland club series, Galway have been further hit by a number of injuries.