Kilkenny will be without James Maher for their Championship campaign after he was injured in a recent farmyard accident.

Brian Cody has revealed that the forward, who appeared to have put himself forward for a more prominent role during this year's League, suffered a fractured knee in the accident and won't be involved again in 2016.

"James got a serious injury. He fractured his kneecap in an accident at home on the farm, so he's really unfortunate. He's going to be out obviously for a while," said Cody.

Kilkenny lost the Allianz Hurling League semi-final to Clare.