Kilkenny GAA Thread

Takeyourpoints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614459#Comment_123614459

Doyle played half back for UL last year I think. Is there any chance of him developing into a centre back? We have the two lads midfield who I'd stick with so it makes more sense to try fill the gaps that we do have.

Hogan definitely should have been brought on. Billy Ryan went over his ankle in the last few minutes and yet we persisted with him and Cody limping around rather than bringing him in which was a bit of a strange one.

Krazy gang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614292#Comment_123614292

Bench impacts were mentioned a lot pre game. Fairly telling that kk only made 3 subs ( 1 of which was Kenny injury), while tipp made 5 with 3 of them having a major impact.

In hindsight, bringing on Cody might have been a better call. Not sure was there much else they could have done. Management can only work with what they have.

Strange mackessy got little game time after playing so well against limerick.

Nedflanders02

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614489#Comment_123614489

I think he could definitely a good job at half back, at center back I'm not sure, we're not blessed with 6's at the minute so might be worth a shot. For center back though you need someone with a demanding, authoritative personality back there, the 2 best 6's in club hurling in Kilkenny last year were Tom Kenny and Eddie Donnelly and unfortunately both don't seem to be interested in playing intercounty hurling at the minute.

mullinr2

I think we need to look at what Cork and Tipp are doing well where we are not. There is a very big chance that we will be left behind. Cork and Tipp have got big change from their u20 successful teams compared to our 22 team which no-one has really made an impact. I think we as a county are waiting for things to happen (a bit like Cork before they realised they needed to do something). It's not impossible that we will go 20 years without an All Ireland just like Cork.

Sir Chaz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614450#Comment_123614450

Very good point re Billy, he wasn't a factor at all for last 20 really and does tend to fade out of games, but he has had a good year overall.

The point made about Tommy Walsh is a good one too, the tight man marking needed against players not blessed with real pace would have suited him down to the ground. Would he have made those mistakes in the 1st half? I doubt it.
And Doyle made a good impact in limited time, I've been more impressed with him this year than previous and he is still U21. I thought Luke Hogan was the obvious man to bring in as well when Cody was clearly struggling with the pace of the game.

Mackessy's long range shooting against 14 men could also have been very useful when we had the spare man out there and not getting change inside.

Conversations 3

I thought Mackessy would have come on for Mullen at halftime or just after. He would have made a good impact.

Whats the story with Owen Wall, has he fallen out of favour altogether?

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614695#Comment_123614695

I am not criticising Billy Ryan, i am just stating he puts in such an effort at wing forward getting up and down the pitch and involved in every play down his side of the pitch between making runs and tracking back to cover space and get in hooks he must be just gone with 10 mins to go, same with John Donn. This was stated last week, these lads need to be replaced on the 60 min mark like Tipp did with there bench.

Nedflanders02

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614806#Comment_123614806

Ì 100% agree with you there. Billy put's in an unreal shift every game and naturally enough starts to slow down the longer the match goes on, he gave away a couple of uncharacteristic frees as he was beginning to tire, that was when we needed to bring on Hogan/Mackessey and bring in fresh legs.

KK36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614582#Comment_123614582

Terrible pity about those two not being interested, especially Kenny although he probably got worn out of it in his past experience in there under Cody. He would be the real deal at 6 for us. The Boro could regret having him at 7 and Buckley at 6 yet. Not sure about Mackessy, he is too slow and doesn't really have the hurling either. A brave manager next year could go with Aidan Tallis, Harry Shine, Luke Hogan, Tom Kenny and Eoin Wall. Would we be any worse? I doubt it. Every other county is taking a chance going with youth and pace. Why cant we do that?

Nedflanders02

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614996#Comment_123614996

If Kenny could be convinced to come back in it would be a big boost but I'd imagine he probable 28/29 now and mightn't be interested. I think if a new manager comes in we should be looking at lads aged 23-28 who mightn't have got a proper chance previously, could easily find a couple of new players, our best finds under Lyng have been Molloy and Murphy and both have come from that age backet. I'd love to see Timmy Clifford back in and getting a run at wing back where his best position is.

me89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614742#Comment_123614742

Wall has a hamstring injury

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614996#Comment_123614996

The best hope we have coming through over the last 4/5 years in the forwards is Marty Murphy, he has done it in big games for Kilkenny. He has to be given a prolonged run in the league next year. I am looking forward to seeing him in action in the club if over injury. Hopefully we can find 3/4 new players who might step up. I do not think i can do another year of going up to Croke Park and Paddy Deegan and Richie Reid being found out AGAIN.

El Vino

I feel in my lifetime of watching hurling Kilkenny have had the stand out generational talent, DJ, then Henry and now TJ. I could be misremembering but it seemed each one was ready to go before the previous one retired. It's hard to see anyone in the current squad who could take up that mantle going forward.

Topcat32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123615348#Comment_123615348

Don't think TJ was seen as the generational talent at the point Henry retired, although was seen as a very talented young player, can see the point you are making though.

Realt Dearg Sec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123615387#Comment_123615387

Yeah I feel like Richie Hogan was the one being talked about in those terms. He didn't exactly disappoint either, but TJ is a different level to everyone.

Mad about baa baas

The more i think about the game the more confused and frustrated I get.

On one hand I can only think of 6/7 lads at a push who who played well..we coughed up a lot of scores from silly mistakes..we sent in high ball.after high ball when we couldn't win 1..and yet we were the better team for large parts of the game and it took a freakish wonder goal to beat us…definitely a game we could should.have won..we had no luck at all

I do think its time to freshen up things and stick with some new lads even if results go against us..

On a positive note tipp couldn't win a game last year and are in the all Ireland now so things can change quickly..

Topcat32

So what new lads are we thinking about to freshen things up, Bolger, Moylan, Lyng, Neary in the backline, Doyle in midfield, Harry Shine, Marty Murphy, Gearoid Dunne, and Niall Shortall in the forwards, maybe a few of the Dicksboro lads if they go well in the club championship? Really dissapointing how little we have got from the under 20 winning all Ireland, people might say that we were lucky to win it but that team was leading a minor all Ireland with a couple of minutes to go as well and looked like a really good underage team.

blackcard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123615475#Comment_123615475

I thought Kilkenny played their best game since the AI in 2022, just made some costly errors. If Donnelly had got a goal, Cahill would be castigated for leaving McCarthy on after getting a yellow card and missing frees. I thought overall Kilkenny were the better team but the winner takes it all. I would critisize Lyng for not bringing on Luke Hogan and Donnelly earlier and I thought Blanch should have started but I admit I thought Shane Murphy should have started also. Adrian Mullen is at a crossroads in his career

Neewollah

Not that I believe we should appeal but still no word from County Board on scoreboard fiasco. Surely they'd have managed a sternly worded statement by now over 48 hours later

conor05

I think with the Mackessey thing it was in the back of Lyngs head that is he be brought on Mackessey and it didn’t work it, it would be a stick to beat him with, playing the Kerry lad when we had Kilkenny lads on the bench.

I honestly think that was Lyngs take on him because he I felt he could have came on in the half back line for Deegan who was having a nightmare second half.

osullic

Is it true Huw Lawlor is going travelling?

For me he has been fantastic and a joy to watch the last number of years.

Nickindublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123616639#Comment_123616639

That rumour is going since last year. If he does no one can have a complaint as he has gave KK hurling is all.

Whether Derek stays on or someone else comes in KK need to start blooding younger players and sticking with them. They need big game experience and good coaching.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123616683#Comment_123616683

Huw is getting to old for travelling he should stay around and hurl next year :) We would be in big trouble without him, when Tipp started moving him around it showed how inept the other defenders are, they are all at sea. Unless he is on top of his game all the time v the top opposition we are in trouble, it must be very frustrating for him, he had to stick to his man at times and leave the square, what went on around was criminal. Backs falling over themselves, 2 going up for one ball none of them blocking it, players getting turned over in possession when on there own, Deegan hitting a ball over his head that went over the line, simply infuriating and not good enough.

kk.man

I actually think we are not in a good place even into the medium term. Underage has been a poor return and the panel(extended planel) is not exciting. If Lynn goes whoever gets the job could be a poison chalice.

Takeyourpoints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123616856#Comment_123616856

I think that whoever takes the job needs to limit supporter expectations. We might have to accept a year or two of rebuilding, similar to what Tipp have done.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123616896#Comment_123616896

Look at Colm Bonner with Tipp, that was a poison chalice and in hindsight he did a decent job, a lot of top potential candidates might not want to go in now because of that, it might tarnish them in the long run. The shrew manager has to go in with the u20, be it a Henry/Tommy or both, give it 2/3 years, hopefully win an All Ireland and then make the step up to senior with a new emerging team. That is the wise move

Krazy gang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123616748#Comment_123616748

Yes but why didn't lawlor stay in his position and let someone else follow mcgrath? It was anticipated in advance tipp would try pull him out of position. Thomastown did the same in last years Co final. Felt sorry for Shane Murphy. He's not really a natural corner back.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123617143#Comment_123617143

John Mcgrath picked off a handy point his first of the match from around the 40th. He had 1-1 at that stage, When all the defenders are matched up it is very hard to leave John Mcgrath 30 yards from goal free. Lawlor probably felt he had to push up. I do know what you are saying though, as Jackie would say a lot of it is Russian Roulette. If Lawlor holds the square we probably don't concede the 2nd and 3rd and goal. But John Mcgrath might have 1-4, Richie Reid and the midfielders have to push up on there men as Tipp have picked off points from out the field with the breeze.

hogans heroes

Surely get Henry/Tommy in with this tears minor grouo atu20next year.I think their very good group and would benefit from being under their management

Sir Chaz

U20 management appointment is the key for the future. We have 3 very decent 20 teams coming, and we need someone there who will take it on and instill the type of steel and abrasiveness that Cahil has in the Tipp lads. We should be getting at least one All Ireland in the next 3 at U20, and aim for all 3.

I think we have been lacking a little in passion and aggression on the field with all teams over the last couple of years. And that comes from the management. The contrast in the Tipp mentors at Minor last year and U20 this year, and the Waterford mentors at Minor this year as well, with our own sideline, was very stark. All 3 groups went way over the top in what's acceptable from a berating of officials viewpoint, particularly the scandalous behaviour of Woodlock and his management last year at Minor, but you have to admit it had an effect on officials and most importantly, the players. Even when Tipp were winning the U20 well this year, Cummins and his selectors never stopped screaming at officials and roaring at their players. We were passive in comparison.

You need a balance certainly of cool, analytical heads, but jaysus you need dogs as well. We don't seem to realise that anymore. I'd love to see the likes of Tommy Walsh and Richie Power get the 20's next year. 2 real hurling men who know what it takes to win and who are passionate about the black and amber. Both know the pitch players have to get to, to win at the very highest level. Both involved in senior clubs coaching.
Brian Dowling is the obvious target but he can name his price with Kildare now and he'd barely get expenses from our Co Board. Plus he's heading for Liam McCarthy next year why would he countenance a step back to underage. That was yet another opportunity missed by the powers that be.