Newly-crowned Leinster club hurling champions Ballyhale Shamrocks have nominated Michael Fennelly to take over from James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick as Kilkenny captain next year. The 23-year-midfielder established himself in the Kilkenny team during this year's National League, only to sustain a broken wrist in June which ruled him out for eight weeks. Derek Lyng's impressive form following his return from an ankle injury kept Fennelly out of the team, but Ballyhale manager Maurice Alyward believes that the captaincy is just the incentive he needs to nail down a regular place in the team. Eoin Reid is next in line to captain the team, followed by TJ Reid, Henry Shefflin and outgoing skipper Fitzpatrick. Tweet

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