Kilkenny name strong side for league opener with Wexford

A number of experienced players have returned to the Kilkenny squad ahead of Sunday afternoon's Allianz League Division 1A  clash with Wexford.

Eoin Murphy, Richie Reid, Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen will all make their first appearance of the season while the O'Loughlin Gaels trio of Jordan Molloy, Conor Heary and Owen Wall are rewarded for their fine club form with Molloy and Heary both named to start.

The rest of the starting 15 is a bit of a mixed match with under 20 All-Ireland winners Padraic Moylan and Killian Doyle blending in with the likes of Darragh Corcoran, Tommy Walsh, Billy Ryan and Martin Keoghan.

It will also be a notable afternoon for the Bennettsbridge club with brothers Kevin, David and Liam Blanchfield all selected to start as the Cats look to make a winning start to the campaign.

Wexford defeated Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup a few weeks ago but with a much stronger squad at their disposal this time round, Derek Lyng's men will be much sterner opposition on home soil.

Throw-in from UPMC Nowlan Park is at 1.45pm.

Kilkenny team to face Wexford- Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Padraic Moylan (Dicksboro), Darragh Corcoran (Shamrocks), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan); David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Richie Reid (Shamrocks), Jordan Molloy (O'Loughlin Gaels); Killian Doyle (Emeralds), Kevin Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge); Adrian Mullen (Shamrocks), Eoin Cody (Shamrocks), Conor Heary (O'Loughlin Gaels); Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan), Liam Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan).

Subs- Darren Brennan (St Lachtains), Conor Delaney (Erins Own), Mikey Carey (Young Irelands), Cillian Buckley (Dickboro), Zach Bay Hammond (Thomastown), Conor Fogarty (Erins Own), Cian Kenny (James Stephens), Harry Shine (Dicksboro), Stephen Donnelly (Thomastown), Owen Wall (O'Loughlin Gaels), Billy Drennan (Galmoy).