Senior star Buckley included in Cats 21s line-up.

Kilkenny Under 21 manager Richie Mulrooney has included Cillian Buckley in his starting 15 for Saturday's Bord Gáis All-Ireland semi-final against Galway at Semple Stadium.

Buckley is named at left-half-forward and is one of three players from the panel named for last Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final win over Tipperary.

The Dicksboro clubman featured as an 18th minute replacement for the injured Michael Rice, helping Kilkenny to a comfortable 18-point win.

Richie Doyle and Walter Walsh are also included in the Cats side for Saturday which is unchanged from the team which beat Laois in the Leinster final five weeks ago.

Buckley says it's going to be tough against a Galway side who are reigning All-Ireland champions.

"We've had a bit of a gap since the Leinster final, but it's no harm as there has been more time for training," he said.

"We are well aware that this Galway Under 21 team ultimately have all of their starting team in with the Senior setup.

"We know from training at home that you can't get any better than playing in a setup like that.

"We will be really up against it, but we aren't fearing Galway and we are going to take the whole challenge on gladly and we are looking forward to it.

"Looking back over the years at Minor or Under 21 level, Galway come in at the All-Ireland quarter-final or semi-final stage.

"You only have to look back at the records and Galway come up trumps. Coming in, in August doesn't seem to affect them. They have mastered this and that's just something we are going to have to deal with."

KILKENNY (U21HC v Galway): Dylan Walsh; Jason Corcoran, Willie Phelan, Brian Kennedy; Luke Harney, Richie Doyle, Joe Lyng; Geoff Brennan, Ollie Walsh; Kevin Kelly, Padraig Walsh, Cillian Buckley; Walter Walsh, John Power, Ger Aylward.