KILKENNY
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Thursday February 18 2010
Date: Sunday, 14 March, at 2.30pm, live on TG4
Venue: Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Manager: Brian Cody
Key Player: Tommy Walsh, Eddie Brennan
Rising Star: Paddy Hogan
Last Championship Meeting: 2006 SHC Final, Cork 1-13 Kilkenny 1-16 (Croke Park)
Last NHL Meeting: 2009 NHL Division 1, Cork 0-11 Kilkenny 4-26 (Nowlan Park)
2009 NHL Form: Division 1 Champions: Won seven, Lost one
Analysis: In this Kilkenny team, we are probably looking at the most dominant hurling (if not sporting) side of all time. The Cats just seem to breed hurlers like a prize stud farm breeds champion horses.
They will be without their Ballyhale contingent for a good portion of the league, but with their well of talented hurlers these players are not missed too much, especially in a league campaign, Brian Cody will only relish the chance to give younger cats a chance to stake a claim for themselves.
As per usual they will be the team to beat and be sure to keep a close eye on young starlet Paddy Hogan, who in the absence of key players like Shefflin could shine.
Cody will also be happy with the return of Noel Hickey, who returns after a long injury lay off. The league will be perfect for Hickey to get his match sharpness back for the long Summer ahead.
They did suffer defeat in the Walsh Cup to Offaly, which maybe goes to show their not invincible. But this defeat has little revelance to Cody's charges, who care little for the pre-season competiton.
Verdict: Kilkenny to put yet another trophy in the cabinet.
