Cats star Delaney to make return

JJ Delaney will make his first competitive appearance for Kilkenny since last August when the Cats take on Dublin in the National Hurling League tomorrow (Parnell Park, throw-in 2.30pm).

The Fenians clubman is eagerly awaiting his return to match action after recovering from the cruciate knee ligament injury he sustained against Clare in last year's All-Ireland SHC semi-final.

The 24-year-old Delaney, named at right half-back, has been back in training and doing gym work since the squad's winter holiday in New Zealand.

Kilkenny boss Brian Cody has made five changes and one positional switch to the team that beat Offaly in the recent Walsh Cup semi-final.

Delaney and last year's captain Jackie Tyrell return in defence, with Brian Hogan of O'Loughlin Gaels, who donned the number 3 jersey last time out, listed at centre-back. James Ryall and John Dalton are the players to make way.

Dunnamaggin's Canice Hickey will make his league debut in the right corner.

Eoin Larkin comes in for Derek Lyng at midfield, while in attack, Richie Power and Eoin McCormack are preferred to Michael Murphy and Peter Cleere.

Cody's starting line-up, which includes eight of last year's All-Ireland winning side, is minus the Ballyhale contingent, headed by new Kilkenny skipper Henry Shefflin, due to their involvement in the All-Ireland club final.

KILKENNY (NHL v Dublin) - PJ Ryan; C Hickey, N Hickey, J Tyrell; JJ Delaney, B Hogan, T Walsh; M Rice, E Larkin; E Brennan, W O'Dwyer, R Power; E McCormack, M Comerford, A Fogarty.