Paul Murphy has been included in the Kilkenny team for tonight's Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21HC quarter-final against Offaly after spending the early part of the year on army duty in Chad.

"It was different experience but it was hugely enjoyable," Murphy said in the Irish Examiner.

"I was there for four months, including Christmas, and got back in February. Stephen Molumphy from Waterford was there and he used to head up the training we had every Wednesday.

"If we were on patrol as well we'd bring some hurls with us and have a puck around.

"It wasn't easy with the heat and some of the hurls cracked as it was so hot. They call the pitch outside there Croke Park as well but it's just a sand area that's rock hard. It's not that great but we did a small bit.

"There's an extra pep in your step when you come back because you appreciate home more. But being in the Army is good, they're very accommodating. There's a good GAA crew of us based in the barracks in Kilkenny with Stephen Molumphy, Eoin Larkin and Ciarán Kennedy, who plays football for Wexford."

The Danesfort clubman will line out at midfield alongside Ballyhale Shamrocks All-Ireland club winner Colin Fennelly, while another Ballyhale clubman, Alan Cuddihy, is named at right corner back. Wing back PJ Rowe impressed for Waterford IT in the Fitzgibbon Cup, while much will be expected of Walter Walsh and James Nolan in attack.

Kilkenny (U21H v Offaly): C McGrath; A Cuddihy, C Fogarty, R Doyle; PJ Rowe, K Mooney, D Langton; P Murphy, C Fennelly; M Bergin, JJ Dunphy, L Ryan; E Murphy, W Walsh, J Nolan. Tweet

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