Decies decide to put in new blood

Waterford boss Justin McCarthy has to plan without the services of star trio Ken McGrath, Paul Flynn and Tony Browne for today's NHL Division 1A encounter with Laois at O'Moore Park.

McGrath broke his collar bone last weekend, Browne is also on the treatment table and Flynn is nursing a shoulder injury, but has been included on the bench.

In their absence, Brian Wall comes in at right half-back and Dave Bennett starts at left half-forward.

James Murray goes to left corner-back, Declan Prendergast is chosen in the heart of the defence and Eoin Murphy moves from corner-back to half-back.

Brian Phelan partners Michael Walsh in midfield.

Laois manager Paudie Butler has made two changes in attack following last weekend's narrow defeat by Clare.

Centre-forward Damien Walsh and wing-forward Eoin Browne have dropped to the bench and Jack Rowney and Martin Rooney come in for the O'Moore men.

Pakie Cuddy, James Young and Damien Culleton provide the experience in the young side.

In the other clash in the division, Galway travel to Kilkenny hoping to get one over on the Cats following their humiliating 19-point defeat in last year's All-Ireland qualifiers.

Galway are without their Athenry contingent of Eugene Cloonan, his brother Diarmuid and David Donoghue for today's encounter.

However, boss Conor Hayes has received a boost with last year's skipper Ollie Canning being passed fit to play.

The All Star partners David Hayes in midfield, with Damien Hayes, Ger Farragher and Kevin Broderick hoping to provide the ammunition in the full-forward line.

Henry Shefflin returns to the Kilkenny team for the clash at Nowlan Park.

The All Star missed last weekend's opening round victory over Waterford with a groin injury and he replaces Eddie Brennan in the full-forward line.

Willie O'Dwyer, who deputised for Shefflin last weekend, retains his place and lines out at left half-forward.

KILKENNY (SH v Galway): J McGarry; J Tennyson, N Hickey, J Ryall; M Kavanagh, T Walsh, JJ Delaney; D Lyng, B Barry; J Fitzpatrick, M Comerford, W O'Dwyer; R Power, J Hoyne, H Shefflin.

GALWAY (SH v Kilkenny): L Donoghue; D Joyce, S Kavanagh, F Moore; T Óg Regan, L Hodgins, D Collins; O Canning, David Hayes; A Smith, D Forde, F Healy; Damien Hayes, G Farragher, K Broderick.

LAOIS (SH v Waterford): P Mullaney; B Campion, P Cuddy, L Traynor; J Fitzpatrick, S Dwyer, M McEvoy; D Doyle, J Walsh; C Coonon, J Rowney, M Rooney; D Culleton, R Jones, P Russell.

WATERFORD (SH v Laois): C Hennessy; T Feeney, F Hartley, J Murray; B Wall, D Prendergast, E Murphy; B Phelan, M Walsh; E Kelly, D Shanahan, D Bennett; J Mullane, S Prendergast, J Kennedy.