Paddy Deegan to captain the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers for the 2024 season

The Kilkenny hurlers will be led out by Paddy Deegan for the upcoming league and championship campaign.

The 28 year-old school teacher will  become the first O'Loughlin Gaels man since Mark Bergin in 2017 to captain the team and he will be joined by Huw Lawlor as the vice-captain.

Shamrocks grip on the county championship has ensured that the likes of Eoin Cody, Richie Reid, Adrian Mullen, Colin Fennelly and TJ Reid all taken on the role at various times in recent years.

Both Deegan and Lawlor were part of the O'Loughlin Gaels team that lost out in last weekend's All-Ireland Club Final so it will be interesting to see if either are available for selection when Kilkenny get their Allianz Hurling League underway against Wexford at UPMC Nowlan Park next Sunday.