Kilkenny Under-20 side named to face Kildare in Leinster opener

Shamrocks Ballyhale player Jake Mullen is named in the Kilkenny starting lineup tomorrow

placeholder image — Shamrocks Ballyhale player Jake Mullen is named in the Kilkenny starting lineup tomorrow

The Cats meet the Lilywhites in Hawfield on Saturday (2pm)

Kilkenny under-20 boss Henry Shefflin has named a strong team ahead of Saturday afternoon's Leinster Championship fixture with Kildare.

With a sprinkling of the last two Leinster minor winning teams and the availability of senior stars Rory Garrett, David Barcoe and Ed McDermott, it's a fine selection by the Kilkenny management team.

With games to come against Wexford (Home) and Galway (Neutral), the away team will be looking to kick off the championship season with a win against a Kildare outfit that come into the contest on the back of wins over Kerry and Westmeath.

Throw-in from Manguard Park in Hawkfield is at 2pm.

Kilkenny Under-20 team to face Kildare- Billy O'Sullivan (James Stephens); Josh Dowling (Erin's Own), Darragh Vereker (Glenmore), Rory Garrett (Fenians); Evan Murphy (Dicksboro), David Barcoe (Clara), Jack Dollard (Glenmore); Kevin Buggy (Erin's Own), Sean Bergin (James Stephens); Patrick Lacey (Dicksboro), Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens), Jake Mullen (Shamrocks Ballyhale); Fionn Mahony (Danesfort), Ed McDermott (James Stephens), Greg Kelly (O'Loughlin Gaels).

Subs: Jake O'Doherty (Mooncoin), Anthony Clifford (Dicksboro), Colm Treacy (Thomastown), Ollie O'Donovan (John Lockes), Louis Raggett (Dicksboro), Eoin Brennan (Erin's Own), Sam Hayes (Danesfort), Mikey Rohan (Carrickshock), Jim Conlon (Young Irelands).