Kilkenny will open their 2009 competitive season with a trip to Dublin for the first round of the Walsh Cup in January. Both sides were beaten at the quarter-final stage of the subsidiary competition last year, with Brian Cody's men going on to win a historic third successive All-Ireland. The Cats should be well rested for the commencement of their '09 programme as they will just be back from their trip to San Francisco, Hawaii and San Diego. The winners of the Dublin/Kilkenny first-round game will be away to Laois or holders Antrim. The losers will meet either Laois or Antrim in the Shield section. Tweet

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