Kilkenny GAA Thread Part 2 **MOD NOTE POST 1***

Realt Dearg Sec

I heard a rumour of pretty much the same team as above. Be a surprise to me if they play pender over o Shea. If that team plays we'll need the half backs sitting very deep, not enough pace to deal with the empty space in the Wexford full forwards with the sweeper otherwise.

davidx40

If Cleere is centre back were in trouble , will never make it there at inter county , very average hurler ....

tbiggertycome

davidx40 wrote: »

If Cleere is centre back were in trouble , will never make it there at inter county , very average hurler ....

Really??????

davidx40

davidx40 wrote: »

If Cleere is centre back were in trouble , will never make it there at inter county , very average hurler ....

tbiggertycome wrote: »

Really??????

This has the makings of the Kilkenny version of the Tossy Hamill debate

citykat

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Indeed. I actually met the man once or twice through the greyhounds many years ago. Came across as a real gent and enjoyed the aul hurling banter. His good wife was a lovely polite lady too. A giant of a man and id imagine he will be mourned in alot of other counties for the work he done there.

Used to meet his son Tommy with Andy Comerford regularly. Serious greyhound and hurling men. Neither the biggest fans of their good old neighbours in tipp :pac:

Good man TG. I knew Georgie fairly well. One of the most fanatical hurling men I've come across (after Cody of course!😉). I remember the night of the Italy France world cup final, I was walking into a pub to watch it just before kickoff. I bumped into Georgie sitting on the benches at the parade. I didn't have to ask him was he going to watch it.

A mild mannered man who I rarely saw lose his temper. Bar of course that time he chased a Tullaroan mentor down the sideline in Nowlan park.

Realt Dearg Sec

I remember that, had no idea what was going on as I was only a kid but I remember it being hilarious and a bit of a farce at the same time, vague memory now, but was this back in the mid 80s by any chance? I never one who was involved in it, it was just a memory I had until you mentioned it now and put a name on it.

tbiggertycome

Deleted User wrote: »

This has the makings of the Kilkenny version of the Tossy Hamill debate

True, I suppose the only difference is Cleere can be a great player if he puts his mind to it:P.

It'll take time of course for him to get used to Championship pace and he may struggle a bit if he's playing on Saturday but he will improve as Kilkenny go on.

citykat

1992 county final I think. There's plenty of context. Georgie had previously managed Tullaroan. His missus is also a Tullaroan woman. None of that though counted for anything when this particular individual started at him.

suirway

citykat wrote: »

1992 county final I think. There's plenty of context. Georgie had previously managed Tullaroan. His missus is also a Tullaroan woman. None of that though counted for anything when this particular individual started at him.

Correct and incorrect! 1992 county final alright but it was in the late 1990's and early 2000's that Georgie managed Tullaroan. They won two senior leagues under him if memory serves me right.

suirway

davidx40 wrote: »

If Cleere is centre back were in trouble , will never make it there at inter county , very average hurler ....

Rubbish. Cleere is a very good hurler, very skilful, good stick man, excellent striker off left and right, where he needs to improve is imposing himself more on the game at centre back or wing back for that matter and that can only come with time.

Lot of talk about who will be full back etc. Of more importance will be who will Kilkenny employ as their sweeper assuming Wexford play a sweeper thereby enabling Kilkenny to do likewise. Such will result in only two on the Kilkenny full back line and indeed maybe only one at times so essentially it is not going to be a traditional full back. It will be up to those around midfield and half forward to stop Wexford picking out McDonald etc as much as possible.

davidx40

Yes Cleere has a lot to do yet to deserve the ratings he gets , ive seen him in a good view games for club and county now and hes yet to look like a inter county player

dobbs2210

davidx40 wrote: »

Yes Cleere has a lot to do yet to deserve the ratings he gets , ive seen him in a good view games for club and county now and hes yet to look like a inter county player

Agree completely, his striking and overall distribution would need to improve alot before he can be anyway considered for inter-county standard. His turn of pace and overall pace over 15 yards is a big issue for him. Saw him being cleaned last year at wing back in the first 15 minutes of the Intermediate All-Ireland final v Clare. He was cleaned out.

unrealtime

He can hurl but is he too slow in everyway

Nickindublin

RIP Georgie Leahy. A true gentleman. I had many a good conversation with him in my youth.

As for this weekend I think this game will have a huge baring on the championship. KK have major issues through the middle in defence. There biggest issue though is there robbing one defender to fill another position. You weaken one position to strengthen another and maybe you don't strengthen it. I think when JJ went back to full back we were able to replace him but I think it's more difficult now. The biggest issue we have at the end of the day is KK are short of good experienced defenders. There are players coming through but they are a year or two away.

Midfield is now looking better with Fennelly back or nearly back. I personally would play Richie with him there against Wexford. I think we need a bit of vision in there.

As for the forwards I think this is an area we will get stronger the longer we are in the championship. I think TJ Walter Colin and Richie would be auto starters if Cody decides to play Richie as a forward. Ger Aylward if 100% fit will also start. That would leave only 1 or 2 positions up for grabs. So the competition for those places will be intense.

As for the result it's difficult to predict. I think if KK play to There true championship form they will win but if they are not at there best Wexford will take advantage. Wexford will be confident after there good league and will provide a good test. As a true hurling fan it's good to see Wexford competitive and having a good chance of victory.

droppingball

The chap hasn't played a championship match yet, lets see how he goes, save any criticism for poor performances and get behind the lads for tomorrow.

We are going to be well outnumbered and it will be hostile but I think there is a performance in this team. Going to say it will be tight for 55 minutes but we will win by 6 points.

C__MC

Will K Joyce start tomorrow? Game would suit him in the tight confines of wexford Park. I don't think Holden or prendergast should start, the naivety of them last year was crazy.

If Kilkenny players aren't hurting from last September and the manner in which they performed, something isn't right. I expect them to be up for this game and perform to the levels we know they can reach.

Fancy ye tomorrow, anytime Kilkennys' Back has been to the wall under the Cody reign, Kilkenny have responded.

Davy in the stand will be a loss, just look at how clueless Armagh became last week when things went against them.

Championship a different ball game, the cream always rises to the top. Kilkenny by 5+

unrealtime

Would start Joey and Joyce down the middle and the rest of the teamshould pick themselves assuming the missing 3 are there I.e. Padraig Mick and Ger.

murtyd17

any sign of the team being announced?

Charlie69

davidx40 wrote: »

If Cleere is centre back were in trouble , will never make it there at inter county , very average hurler ....

Savage potential...give him a chance.

Realt Dearg Sec

Just watched the final from last year for the first time since September. Honestly lads it'd drive you to drink watching it. If they don't come out with serious fire and a desire to prove they have more in them than that I'll be very pessimistic for this year. It was a shambles of a performance. I know every year is different and tomorrow is likely a very different type of match than that, but they were headless at times that day. We need a real statement of intent tomorrow, start the year by stopping this Wexford hype train right in its tracks, and build from there.

And whoever is picked tomorrow I've no doubt they'll be fired up to show what they're about this year. I don't think there'll be anything like the lethargy of a 2013 about us, we've lots to prove here.

Nickindublin

I think also Cody is building a bench. I feel in the final last year he looked to the bench and saw nothing better than was on the pitch. Hopefully this year he will see more.

v3ttel

brookville wrote: »

Billy ryan hasn't being called up although his involved in training with the 21s.I wonder will leahy be an option I read we've a full squad minus walsh.I think a lot of people will be interested to see what way the team is picked.

I'd really like to see Billy Ryan called up to the seniors. He was outstanding in the U21s vs Dublin.

tbiggertycome wrote: »

Murphy
Murphy, Joyce, Prendergast
Fogarty, Cleere, Buckley
Fennelly, R Hogan
TJ, Wally, Leahy
Aylward, Colin, Blanchfield

I'd be happy enough with that time, especially to have Alyward and Fennelly back. In an ideal world, I'd rather have Donnelly, Bolger or Ryan ahead of Blanchfield. I can see Blanchfield has potential but his form has been very poor bar his 2 points vs Waterford in the semi-final replay. Even in the 21s he was anonymous the last day. I would also prefer to give O'Shea the nod ahead of Pender just purely on the basis of him being a longer term option.

Does anyone know what's happening with Robert Lennon? He was very good in the Leinster final vs Galway last year I thought, but he has hardly been seen since bar the Walsh cup.

1984baby

I'd like to see this team:
Murphy
Murphy Joyce/Joey O Shea
Deegan/Joey Mick Fen Buckley
Fogarty Lester/Deegan
Colin Fen TJ R Hogan
Aylward Wally Blanch

I wouldn't start Pender at all and def not in the corner. Every1 gave out about Joey last season and said he had to go but I think Pender is by far the weakest link there.

usualstripes

1984baby wrote: »

I'd like to see this team:
Murphy
Murphy Joyce/Joey O Shea
Deegan/Joey Mick Fen Buckley
Fogarty Lester/Deegan
Colin Fen TJ R Hogan
Aylward Wally Blanch

I wouldn't start Pender at all and def not in the corner. Every1 gave out about Joey last season and said he had to go but I think Pender is by far the weakest link there.

With some question marks the following will be close;

E Murphy
P Murphy
Padraig walsh - joyce if padraig injured
Joyce - conor o shea if joyce in full
Buckley
Cleere
Fogarty
M Fennelly - lester if mick not starting
R Hogan - Deegan here and hogan half forward if leahy not starting
Walter
TJ
Leahy -
Blanch
Colin
Aylward

robwen

Word is that Kilkenny have been practising 17-a-side to sharpen up in crowded environments; they’ll be ready.

From Irish Times article on game today

dastardly00

Any suggestions for good places to park this evening? I've never been to Wexford Park before.

Noddy33

Team submitted to GAA for Program I heard is
Murphy,Murphy,Joyce,O'Shea,Cleere,Buckley,deegan,Fogarty,Fennelly,Wally,hogan,TJ,Aylward,Colin Fenn and Blanchfield

I expect few personnel and positional changes from that and see Deegan going midfield with Fogarty to drop back as the spare man/sweeper

DickoHara

dastardly00 wrote: »

Any suggestions for good places to park this evening? I've never been to Wexford Park before.

Usually park St peters college near the park

pmy.murphy

Was told last night that Joe Lyng is set to start corner back today in place of Paul Murphy who has supposedly picked up an injury

Charlie69

pmy.murphy wrote: »

Was told last night that Joe Lyng is set to start corner back today in place of Paul Murphy who has supposedly picked up an injury

Huge loss if he is injured, has arguably been our most consistent performer in the last five years or so, I've been surprised at some of the criticism of him on here after a few average performances by his very high standards.