Senior Kilkenny stars give Brian Cody a major championship boost

Cats coach Brian Cody have been given a major championship boost amid reports veterans Richie Hogan, Walter Walsh, Conor Fogarty and Cillian Buckley will play on for Kilkenny this year.

It follows speculation that some of Kilkenny’s most senior players could Colin Fennelly and Joey Holden into county retirement.

However, according to a report in today’s Irish Independent, the four are all set to play a role in this year’s campaign as Kilkenny bid to capture their first All-Ireland crown since 2015.

Hogan and Buckley, and to a lesser extent Fogarty, have had limited action in recent seaons due to injury, their recent campaign. And while Walsh has fallen out of favour in recent years, the towering 30-year-old still has plenty to offer.