Changes aplenty as Laois senior hurlers set for Walsh Shield clash with Carlow in Stradbally

The Laois senior hurlers are back in action this evening, just four days after their opening game in this year’s Walsh Cup against Wexford in Rathdowney.

Laois were competitive for much of Sunday’s game before Wexford hit the front, scoring eight of the last nine points to record a six-point win. That result has pushed Laois into the Walsh Shield, where they will face Carlow in the quarter-finals at Stradbally GAA on Thursday evening. The game gets underway at 7.30pm.

Ahead of the game at the rather unfamiliar hurling venue of Stradbally, Laois manager Tommy Fitzgerald has named a starting 15 featuring 10 changes from the side that faced Wexford.

There is a new goalkeeper, with Borris-Killcotton’s Eoin Fleming replacing Cathal Dunne, while the full-back line has been completely overhauled. Rosenallis’ Diarmuid Dooley, Ballinakill’s Ian Shanahan, and The Harps’ Padraic Dunne all come into the team.

Podge Delaney retains his place at centre-back after playing the full game against Wexford. He will be joined by two debutants on either side of him, with The Harps’ Eoghan Murphy and Camross’ Eoghan Cuddy making their senior hurling debuts for Laois. In midfield, Camross’ Eoin Gaughan keeps his place, partnered by Clough-Ballacolla’s Laois SHC-winning captain Aidan Corby.

There are changes in the forward line as well. Jack Kelly and James Keyes will start their second game in four days, with Keyes moving from corner-forward to wing-forward. Clonad’s Fionn Holland will make his first start for Laois at centre-forward after coming off the bench 47 minutes into last Sunday’s game. In the full-forward line, Colin Byrne replaces his brother Cormac, while Mossy Keyes of Camross comes in for Castletown’s Martin Phelan.

Should Laois overcome Carlow in Stradbally, they will face Kilkenny in the Walsh Shield semi-final, their third game in seven days. Kilkenny have yet to play a game in this year’s Walsh Cup after their fixture with Westmeath was postponed and decided by a coin toss, which Kilkenny lost.

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