Cork Team to Play Kilkenny in League Opener

  The Cork and Kilkenny teams have both been named for Saturday nights Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A opener. The Rebel team is a completely different team to that which started against Limerick in the Waterford Crystal Cup Final defeat two weeks ago. Damien Cahalane is the sole player to retain his place in the league opener starting fifteen. Jimmy Barry Murphy recalls his experienced players for the clash against the All Ireland Champions, with twelve of the players who started last years All Ireland Semi Final defeat to Tipperary included. Captain Anthony Nash returns between the posts. With Stephen McDonnell out injured, Cahalane is the only mainstay in the full back line, but moves to the corner as Christopher Joyce takes the full back role. Conor O'Sullivan is named on the other wing. Mark Ellis is named at centre half back, with Cormac Murphy and Aidan Walsh on the wings. Patrick Cronin will partner Daniel Kearney in midfield. There's just one change to last years six forwards, Bill Cooper continues at centre half forward with Seamus Harnedy and Conor Lehane on the wings. Paudie O'Sullivan who came on in last years defeat to Tipperary, starts at full forward, with Alan Cadogan and Patrick Horgan in the corners. Meanwhile, with high profile retirements, club commitments and injuries, just seven of the players who started last years All Ireland Final replay are included in Brian Cody's Kilkenny team. Paul Murphy has been named at full back in a side that also retains Eoin Murphy, Jackie Tyrell, Kieran Joyce, Cillian Buckley and Conor Fogarty. Both teams are named in full below.   The Cork team will line out as follows. 1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk) 2. Damien Cahalane (St.Finbarr’s) 3. Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh) 4. Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields) 5. Cormac Murphy (Mallow) 6. Mark Ellis (Millstreet) 7. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk) 8. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfield) 9. Patrick Cronin (Bishopstown) 10. Seamus Harnedy (St. Ita’s) 11. Bill Cooper (Youghal) 12. Conor Lehane (Midleton) 13. Alan Cadogan (Douglas) 14. Paudi O’Sullivan (Cloyne) 15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers) Subs: 16. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig) 17. Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown) 18. William Kearney (Sarsfields) 19. Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk) 20. Rob O’Shea (Carrigaline) 21. Andy Walsh (Killeagh) 22. Cian McCarthy (Sarsfields) 23. Brian Lawton (Castlemartyr) 24. Luke O’Farrell (Midleton) 25. Stephen Moylan (Douglas) 26. Anthony Spillane (Castlelyons)   Kilkenny team named to play Cork: 1. Eoin Murphy 2. Tomás Keogh 3. Paul Murphy 4. Jackie Tyrrell 5. Brian Kennedy 6. Kieran Joyce 7. Cillian Buckley 8. Conor Fogarty 9. Lester Ryan 10. Padraig Walsh 11. Walter Walsh 12. Mathew Ruth 13. Mark Kelly 14. Jonjo Farrell 15. Richie Hogan Tune in to The Big Red Bench with Ruairi O'Hagan and Lisa Lawlor on Sunday evening from 6pm for post match reaction from the game, and analysis from Former Cork Captain Tomas Mulcahy after round one of the League.