Kilkenny begin defence of U21 title

Kilkenny will set out to defend their Erin U21 All Ireland Hurling Championship title tomorrow in their opening Leinster clash with Laois at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Laois emerged as winners of the Erin Leinster Special U21 Championship following their defeat of Meath on May 5 by 1-9 to 1-6. Laois last won the Leinster U21 Hurling Championship in 1983 and have yet to win an All Ireland U21 title.

The winners of Laois v Kilkenny will go on to play Dublin in the Erin Leinster semi-final, with Offaly playing Wexford in the other semi-final, both on June 23.

The Erin Munster U21 Championship gets underway on Wednesday, June 9, with Kerry hosting Limerick and Clare facing Cork.