Kilkenny GAA Thread

Nedflanders02

I think there are lots of positives to be taken from yesterday. The first 20 minutes were dour enough and our poor shooting kept Galway in the game, from the 20th minute on we found our feet and started to play some good hurling in patches. Our defense looked solid through out but for that shaky period near the end but never looked like conceding a goal and we were always able to get a score when Galway brought it back to 3/4 points. For me there was 2 standout moments for us yesterday, the first being when Galway got the goal and a couple of points to get it back to 4 points TJ came from behind 2/3 Galway defenders to catch a puck out, laid it off to Mullen for a brilliant point. The second, Galway in search of a goal, dropped a ball on the square Huw came out, caught it and drove up the pitch before handing it off to Billy Ryan for another brilliant point. 2 great leaders standing up when they were needed most and 2 quality finishes from Mullen and Ryan. I was very happy with how the midfield went yesterday too Kenny and Molloy got through an awful amount of work and when they get the ball in hand they are always looking up to pick out one of the forwards. It was good to get another full game into Mullen and he is slowly getting his sharpness back and played well yesterday. Mossy and Billy carried on their good form and the confidence and directness they are bringing is unsettling for the opposition defense. Huw was deservedly MOTM and I think he is the best full back in the country, he allows our half backs and corner backs to be aggressive as they know they do not need to worry about giving him protection. It's hard to say anything about TJ that hasn't already been said but what a man he is to be still going and affecting big games at his age! He is one of, if not our best ever players and it's a privilege to be able to go watch him! We should enjoy him when we can, because when he's gone we might never see one as good as him. There's still a lot that will need to be worked on but we are where we wanted to be at the start of the Leinster championship and if we can get everyone fit and firing will be a match for anyone, we will be underdogs going in against, more than likely, Limerick but we won't fear them and on our day are a match for anyone.

Also, congratulations to Brian Dowling and his back room team on their win yesterday. They had Kildare set up really really well and were by far the better team yesterday, it's good to see a new team come up to Liam McCarthy level and there is massive scope for developing hurling in Kildare. On Brian's backroom team, are there any other Kilkenny people involved with him?

Sir Chaz

Richie Ruth is involved he's a teacher in Kieran's but he's a Tipp man, very good coach by all accounts. Not sure if he has any Kilkenny people involved. Great achievement for him and you'd wonder how the County Board overlooked him for the underage jobs. No doubt he'll stay with Kildare now so probably an opportunity lost.

Well done to the lads yesterday, we did what we had to do. An absolutely vital result in terms of getting a feel good factor back. Shudder to think the sheer depression had we lost that game. TJ is obviously slowing down but he was excellent yesterday and had some of the biggest plays of the game. His fielding is still absolutely off the charts, still wins balls he has no right to. Huw is just a beast of a hurler, he has everything. Fair play to the 2 boys midfield, and well done to Billy and Mossy for keeping the form going. Mossy's goals looked easy but plenty lads wouldn't have been in there, he's a huge player for Kilkenny. Great to see Adrian Mullen get another game under the belt and he was as elusive as ever. Savage striker off both sides, he'll only get better.

We have 4 weeks now to get the injuries right and have real strength in depth for the first time in a long time, and not just having veterans coming off the bench like last few years. What odds on a Tipp/Kilkenny final? I wouldn't rule it out.

Minors next Saturday is another big game for the county. Big test and unfortunately a terrible venue and time, but hopefully the genuine supporters will still travel. If these boys can win an All Ireland before we head to Croke Park to take on Limerick, the depression after last weekends 20 match will be well and truly in the rear view mirror.

me89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123528126#Comment_123528126

Why pick Wexford Park of all places, toss for home and away and get a crowd at the match