Quaid names unfamiliar looking Kildare side for Christy Ring Cup opener today

Kildare hurling manager Joe Quaid has named his side for the Christy Ring Cup opener against Mayo in Ballina later this afternoon.

The major news is the omission of former All-Ireland winning Kilkenny hurler John Mulhall, who has been named among the substitutes, but many of the Lilywhites' players were struggling through injury in the build-up to this game, so the starting XV could look different to the one that is named.

Richard Ryan is in at full-forward to make his first championship appearance for Kildare, while Limerick brothers David and Michael Reidy are also in line for their first starts in the Christy Ring Cup for the Lilywhites. David Reidy has been struggling with an injury since the final round of the league when Kildare came from behind to beat London, while Mark Delaney, John Doran and Ross Bergin have all been carrying injuries in recent weeks too.

They've all been named to start however, and throw-in for the game is pencilled in for 3pm this afternoon as Kildare look to get their campaign off to a winning start in the west.