Not many of us saw this one coming.
Brian Cody has introduced a fresh face into the Kilkenny team for Sunday’s Leinster Senior Hurling final against Galway [4pm throw-in].
Billy Ryan will make his senior debut for the Cats against the All-Ireland champions in the Leinster decider at Croke Park.
The Graigue-Ballycallan player appeared in the Allianz League clash with Waterford, earlier this year, and has been named at corner forward in a Kilkenny team that has been tweaked by Cody.
The 21-year-old is in St Pat’s Drumcondra and is best asset is his searing pace.
Joey Holden comes into the starting 15, in place of Conor O’Shea, while Martin Keoghan replaces Colin Fennelly in the half forward line. Walter Walsh moves up to the full forward line with Ryan and Ger Aylward
Kilkenny Senior Team Vs Galway pic.twitter.com/9djuganJmM
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) June 29, 2018
Galway have also named their team and there are three changes from their last day out.
3 changes for Galway (Leinster SHC final v Kilkenny):Â James Skehill; Adrian Tuohy, Daithi Burke, John Hanbury; Padraic Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Aidan Harte; Johnny Coen, David Burke; Joseph Cooney, Joe Canning, Niall Burke; Conor Whelan, Conor Cooney, Cathal Mannion #GAA
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) June 29, 2018
This one should be keenly contested and it will be interesting to see how that Kilkenny full forward line gets on.