All-star goalkeeper McKenna returns from injury as Kildare hurlers name team for Donegal clash
David Herity has revealed his opening team with Kildare going into action in Division 2B of the Allianz Hurling League against Donegal this afternoon.
There are five changes from the Kehoe Cup Semi-Final defeat with the Naas quartet of James Burke, Rian Boran, Kevin Whelan and Ross Kelly all coming in as well as Clane's Paddy McKenna in goal.
James Burke is rewarded for his fine showing off the bench in the Antrim game with a start while clubmate Rian Boran makes his League debut.
McKenna was the Christy Ring player of the year in 2018 but he picked up a bad knock around Christmas time and as a result this is his first action of the year.
The game will be Herity's first steps into Inter-County Hurling management at a competitive level and on the back of relegation last term Kildare will be looking to get off to a good start in their bid to go straight back up.
Throw-in at Letterkenny is at 2.pm
Kildare team to play Donegal:
- Paddy McKenna - Clane
- Cathal Derivan - Leixlip
- John Doran - Leixlip
- James Dolan- Eire Og Chorrachoill
- Rian Boran - Naas
- Martin Fitzgerald - Ardclough
- Diarmuid Cahill - Coill Dubh
- Kevin Whelan -Naas
- Ross Kelly - Naas
- Paul Divilly - Confey
- Brian Byrne - Naas
- James Burke- Naas
- Bernard Deay - Clane
- Caolan Smith- Clane
- Ryan Casey - Coill Dubh