Sunday’s National Hurling League Final will be a family affair for Kilkenny, with brothers Richie and Paddy Hogan both named in the team to face Cork.
Showing the legendary Lazarus-like powers of recovery that his county men are famous for, Richie has recovered from the small matter of a collapsed lung and two broken ribs suffered only a month ago to line out at right half-forward, while his brother Paddy will partner reigning Hurler of the Year Michael Fennelly at midfield.
With Hogan coming into the centre of the field, Cillian Buckley moves to the 40, with John Mulhall and the injured Richie Power the two players to make way from the comfortable league semi-final win over Clare in Semple Stadium.
The Cork team named on Thursday night shows three changes to the side that memorably overcame Tipperary in the semi-final. The injury enforced absence of Captain Donal Óg Cusack means a start for Michael Coleman in goals, with Brian Murphy coming in at corner back and young phenomenon Conor Lehane named to start at right-half forward.
It’s the Cats v the Rebels, it’s Cody v JBM and throw-in is at headquarters at 4pm this Sunday.
Kilkenny team to play Cork: David Herity; Paul Murphy, JJ Delaney, Jackie Tyrrell; Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Richie Doyle; Michael Fennelly, Paddy Hogan; Richie Hogan, TJ Reid, Cillian Buckley; Colin Fennelly, Eoin Larkin (Captain), Matthew Ruth.
Subs: Eoin Murphy, Kieran Joyce, Conor Fogarty, John Tennyson, Willie Phelan, John Mulhall, Mark Bergin, Tomas Breen, Padraig Walsh, Lester Ryan.
Cork team to play Kilkenny: Martin Coleman; Shane O’Neill, Stephen McDonnell, Brian Murphy; Seán Óg hAilpín, Eoin Cadogan, William Egan; Lorcán McLoughlin, John Gardiner; Conor Lehane, Pa Cronin, Niall McCarthy; Luke O’Farrell, Paudie O’Sullivan, Pat Horgan (Captain).
Subs: Anthony Nash, Conor O’Sullivan, Damien Cahalane, Tom Kenny, Christopher Joyce, Darren Sweetnam, Ross Cashman, Jamie Coughlan, Cathal Naughton, Cian McCarthy, Brian Corry.
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