Kilkenny set to begin title defence with six of the best

KILKENNY will parade six of last year’s All-Ireland U21 hurling winning side when they face Laois in tonight’s Leinster championship opener in Nowlan Park at 7.30pm.

Colin McGrath lines out in goal, Paul Murphy is named at right corner-back with Lester Ryan playing at right half-back. James Dowling starts at midfield with their attack featuring Colin Fennelly at right half-forward and John Mulhall in at full-forward. JJ Farrell and Mark Bergin, who both came on in last year’s All-Ireland win, start at midfield and right corner-forward respectively.

Kilkenny also include Conor Fogarty, who won an All-Ireland minor medal last September, at left corner-back and Martin Walsh, brother of senior star Tommy, who played for UL in this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup decider, at left half-back.