With Huw Lawlor not currently available to aid the Kilkenny cause at the moment, Henry Shefflin looked at those positioned in the key central areas as the Cats look to further evolve under Derek Lyng.
Lawlor, a dominant figure at full-back for his county has gone travelling, as has forward Billy Ryan, though manager Lyng hasn't ruled out the possibility of one or both returning at some stage in 2026.
Against Offaly in their opening Allianz Hurling League Division 1 game, Mikey Carey started at No 3 and on Allianz League Sunday, Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin assessed the Cats' spine, also highlighting those placed at No 6 and No 11.
"Huw Lawlor has gone and they are going to see about those at three and six.
"Mikey Carey is back there at three; he's very explosive, very good going forward and he has stepped in to that No 3 role.
"They're going to see about three and six"
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) January 25, 2026
Henry Shefflin runs the rule over the spine of the Kilkenny team for 2026
📺 Watch #AllianzLeagueSunday - https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN pic.twitter.com/AoFPwoX10t
"Darragh Corcoran has had a very good club campaign and has gone in at no 6. These two have anchored the defence so far and it will be interesting to see how they progress during the course of the league.
"Eoin Cody is now wearing the No 11 jersey. For that number six that sits in the pocket he will provide different challenges. He will have a big say in Kilkenny's progress this year.
"Mikey and Darragh will get a few games. Then you have Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan and David Blanchfield will add the supporting to that spine of the team."
