Comerford back for Kilkenny
Martin Comerford will make his first start of the National Hurling League when Kilkenny take on Antrim in Division 1B tomorrow (Nowlan Park, throw-in 1.00pm).
The two-time All Star will line out at full-forward, having shown no ill-affects of a long term groin injury when coming on as a substitute in the Cats' 0-14 to 1-11 draw with Limerick last time out.
Kilkenny boss Brian Cody has made a wholesale nine changes to the side that started against the Shannonsiders, as well as some positional switches.
PJ Ryan replaces Jame McGarry in goal, while in defence, Michael Kavanagh, Stephen Maher and James Ryall come in with Donnacha Cody, captain Jackie Tyrrell and Brian Hogan missing out.
Bryan Barry and Michael Fennelly have been named at midfield in place of Richie Mullally and Peter Cleere. In the forwards, Comerford, Eddie Brennan and Eoin Reid come in for Richie Power, Aidan Fogarty and Willie O'Dwyer.
Power, who has been the Cats' league top scorer with 0-22, sustained a hamstring injury during a club game with Carrickshock last weekend.
The inclusion of Comerford sees Eoin Larkin, who struck 0-05 in the number 14 jersey against Limerick, revert to left half-forward.
KILKENNY (NHL v Antrim) - PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, S Maher; J Ryall, J Tennyson, T Walsh; B Barry, M Fennelly; M Rice, D Lyng, E Larkin; E Reid, M Comerford, E Brennan.
GAA: HICKEY RESUMES "FULL CONTACT" HURLING
Tough-tackling Kilkenny full-back Noel Hickey has resumed "full contact" hurling after a nine month spell on the sidelines.
Hickey, who won All-Ireland SHC medals in 2000, 2002 and 2003, was diagnosed with a serious viral infection last summer, which forced him to sit out the remainder of the season for both club and county.
The 25-year-old defender was given the all-clear to play for his club Dunamaggin before Christmas and last week saw him return to the Kilkenny panel for two "full contact" training sessions.
Hickey has also had laser treatment on his eyes, meaning he can now play without contact lenses.
He told the Kilkenny People: "I have had a complete overhaul. I know it will take time to get up to match fitness, but at least I have taken a big step forward."
Meanwhile, the Cats' attacker-in-chief Henry Shefflin is back in training. The 27-year-old had been suffering from an on-going groin problem since the turn of the year. Under-21 starlet PJ Delaney is also back hurling after his recovery from a Gilmore's Groin injury.
