League proving Kilkenny’s strength in depth

Kilkenny star Eoin Larkin is desperate to win back his starting place before the Cats open their Leinster SHC campaign against Offaly on June 7.

Larkin had to be content with a place on the bench in Thurles yesterday but the James Stephens clubman was introduced with 10 minutes remaining before seeing out the rest of the game, including stoppage time.

The presence of Larkin, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan and Walter Walsh on a star-studded Kilkenny bench was a clear indication of the strength in depth available to manager Brian Cody. And in the five weeks leading up to the Offaly championship opener, competition for places is sure to intensify during those fabled Kilkenny training sessions.