JJ Delaney and Noel Hickey also returned to club action last weekend.

While the return of Henry Shefflin quite understandably grabbed all the headlines, key defenders Delaney and Hickey also came back from injury to give Cats boss Brian Cody a welcome boost.

Hickey had been sidelined for a month with a hamstring problem but he lined out at full back for Dunnamaggin against Shamrocks last weekend and is sure to get more game time this weekend when the domestic leagues continue.

With a month to go before Kilkenny open their Leinster SHC defence, he is on course to make a full return with the county team.

Delaney was forced to retire at half time in the league final with a dead leg but was back in action at centre back for Fenians as they accounted for Tullaroan. Tweet

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