Laois And Kildare Continue Experimental Feel For O'Byrne Cup Semi-Final

Photo Credit: Raymond Commins

Both teams have been named for the game this evening.

It cannot be said that Billy Sheehan didn't make use of his panel during the O'Byrne Cup. 

Another eleven changes were announced to the starting team for a clash with the lilywhites tonight. It's the second time in the three fixtures to date that a double-digit rotation policy has been implemented. 

Kildare have also been giving players minutes and this team isn't far away from the XV that began their consummate victory over Westmeath a couple of weeks ago. 

The retain an experienced feel to the spine of the side though. Household names like Daniel Flynn, Kevin Flynn and Jimmy Hyland are all chucked in from the beginning, while the experience of Paul Cribben can be introduced from the bench. 

That being said only a handful of players from their Leinster Championship final appearance in 2021 are involved. 

A date with Dublin back in Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow on Saturday is the prize for both teams should they win. Penalties are also a possibility if no result is determined after 70-minutes this evening. 

This is bonus territory for a Laois team who were reeling after a heavy defeat to Wexford ten days ago, win this evening and the Billy Sheehan era will have well and truly kicked into gear. 

Laois XV:

Matthew Byron, James Kelly, Trevor Collins, Alex Mohan, Sean O’Flynn, John O’Loughlin, Gareth Dillon, James Finn, Kieran Lillis, Brian Byrne, Eoin Lowry, Paddy O’Sullivan, Mark Barry, Sean Moore, Evan O’Carroll. 

Kildare XV: 

Mark Donnellon; David Randles, Mike Joyce, Tom Harrington; David Hyland, James Murray, Tony Aarchbold; Liam Power, Tadhg Hoey; Davy O’Neill, Eoghan Lawless, Kevin Flynn; Paddy Woodgate, Daniel Flynn, Jimmy Hyland.

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