Cats face a challenging campaign, warns Brian Cody

Brian Cody has flatly dismissed Kilkenny’s tag as favourites to win their fourth Division 1 title in a row and warned the All-Ireland champions have “a challenging league ahead”.

Between retirements, Ballyhale Shamrocks’ All-Ireland club final involvement and injuries, Kilkenny are currently without 13 of the 2014 panel as they prepare for their trip to face Cork this Saturday.