Kilkenny princes urged to fill in for the King

Richie Hogan says he and his team-mates must "step it up" in the absence of Henry Shefflin, who was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the foot last week and is due to miss Kilkenny’s championship opener against Offaly.

“I didn’t know Henry had been injured until late last week, we weren’t with the county squad really after the league final,” said Hogan yesterday.

“It’s disappointing for himself, but Henry is Henry – he has always come back from injuries, he keeps himself in brilliant shape, and I think it’s something similar to what he had last year. He knows what’s ahead of him and I’d hope he’ll be back for the next day.