Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan could miss part of Kilkenny’s 2026 season

Goalkeeper Eoin Murphy is also expected to be available next season.

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025 - 11:26

John Fogarty

All Star nominations Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan could miss part of Kilkenny’s 2026 season as they are expected to go travelling in the coming weeks.

Both men had excellent seasons in the black and amber and full-back Lawlor is a strong contender for his third individual award when they are announced on Thursday week.

Lawlor, 29, had been considered a hurler of the year contender prior to the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary, while Ryan, also 29, had what most people considered his best year for The Cats.

At least TJ Reid has confirmed he will be available for Kilkenny in 2026 but doubts about Kilkenny’s long-established full-back Lawlor are prompting concerns on Noreside.

Fresh from helping Ireland to a hurling-shinty victory over Scotland in Inverness on Saturday, goalkeeper Eoin Murphy is also expected to be available next season. Along with the two Reids, TJ and Richie, Murphy (36) is one of three players in the current panel who has won an All-Ireland.

Kilkenny and the rest of the counties competing in next year’s hurling league are expected to be issued with their provisional fixtures in the coming days. As was the case last season, The Cats will have three home and away games.

They are expected to have home games against the likes of Cork and Waterford and away trips to Limerick and Tipperary.