Kilkenny team named for Leinster Championship clash with Antrim

Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng has welcomed back a number of injured players for this Sunday's opening Leinster Championship clash with Antrim.

Mikey Butler, Mikey Carey, TJ Reid and Tom Phelan who all sat out the league final defeat to Clare are all back involved from the start with the likes of Tommy Walsh, Luke Hogan and Billy Ryan dropping to the bench.

After scoring four points from play upon his substitute introduction the last day, there's also a start for Mossy Keoghan as the Cats change a third of their team in total.

As well as the return of a few notable names, there is one championship debut too with Glenmore's Shane Murphy lining out in the full back line after an enterprising spring campaign.

Sunday's clash in UPMC Nowlan Park will be the first of five games in six weeks for the Cats as they look to successfully defend their provincial crown.

Throw-in for the game is at 2.30pm.

Kilkenny team to face Antrim- Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Mikey Butler (O'Loughlin Gaels), Huw Lawlor (O'Loughlin Gaels), Shane Murphy (Glenmore); David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Paddy Deegan (O'Loughlin Gaels), Mikey Carey (Young Irelands); Cian Kenny (James Stephens), Richie Reid (Shamrocks); Adrian Mullen (Shamrocks), Eoin Cody (Shamrocks), John Donnelly (Thomastown); Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan), TJ Reid (Shamrocks), Tom Phelan (Conahy).

Subs- Aidan Tallis (Lisdowney), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Jordan Molloy (O'Loughlin Gaels), Darragh Corcoran (Shamrocks), Killian Doyle (Emeralds), Conor Fogarty (Erins Own), Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan), Luke Hogan (O'Loughlin Gaels), Owen Wall (O'Loughlin Gaels), Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan), Billy Drennan (Galmoy).