Kilkenny GAA Thread

WibblyWobblyWonderman

Ratoath 0-09 v Danesfort 0-03

If Danesfort thought they’d come and overpower Ratoath today, they’ve had a rude awakening. In a match with real bite in horrendous conditions, Danesfort will have it all to do in the 2nd half. Ratoath came for a battle and have taken their chances well. Their tacking and use of the ball has been impressive. Danesfort have been poor in all areas of their game, with their striking in particular letting them down. They have 6/7 wides, most of which were within 45 yards directly in front of goal. They’ll have a strong wind in the second half, so we’ll get a better idea of how much a factor it’s actually playing.

Again, Des Dunne has been excellent, while the rest of the backs have all been impressive enough. They’re struggling up front though. Robbie Walsh has probably been the best of them so far. The game has been low on quality, but still an exciting game all the same

WibblyWobblyWonderman

FT

Ratoath 0-12 v Danesfort 2-15

Whilst the scoreline doesn’t reflect the performance of Ratoath, Danesfort deserve massive credit for the 2nd half turnaround. They shot out of the blocks and reduced the deficit to 3 points within 5 minutes. Ratoath looked like they weren’t going to roll over though and replied with 3 on the trot to return the gap to 6 points.

A moment of magic from one of the Ratoath forwards to get through on goal looked like it would be curtains for Danesfort. But Paddy Hogan pulled off a save to keep them in it. His brother, Richie, made his return not long after and this was the catalyst for a wonderful Danesfort comeback. A long ball hung in the air, dropping on the Ratoath keeper. The ball slipped from his grasp, and pressure from Ireland Wall eventually resulted in Sam Hayes finishing unorthodoxly into the net. Danesfort began to turn the screw and Ratoath wilted. Not long after, there was some overconfident defending from the Ratoath corner back resulting in a ball played across the square. His teammate fumbled the greasy ball, and in came Richie snatching the ball and sending it to the roof of the net. Like stealing candy from a baby.

Danesfort powered on from here to put some gloss on the scoreline. Their first half performance definitely looks like it was affected by the conditions, which were awful to be fair. It’ll take some team to stop them, and looking at who is left, you’d really have to fancy them to go all the way. Also, absolutely fantastic to see Richie back out there. He didn’t rust while he was away anyway

Charlie69

Fantastic second half from Danesfort in very tough conditions against a very game Ratoath team.Some cameo from Richie, still has all the skills. Delighted for Paul Murphy and all the Danesfort lads.

Marrooned

great to see Paul Murphy presented with the cup called after his late father Tommy a top hurling man in Kilkenny.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124050693#Comment_124050693

Yes Danesfort were way off for 45-50 minutes and 5 points down when 2 massive Ratoath mistakes cost them 2 goals. Danesfort definitely had Tommy Murphy looking down on them with 10 minutes to go. Ratoath will be sick after doing great hurling for 50 minutes. Great credit to Danesfort management for getting Riche back in, would have been well bet without him today, he completely spooked Ratoath when introduced

Krazy gang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124050693#Comment_124050693

Didn't see the game but obviously hogan had a big influence when he came on. Upper church drombane in the semi final. Don't know anything about them, but any team that were senior in tipp recently won't be too bad.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124051792#Comment_124051792

I agree but without any research Tipp have an awful record in club hurling competitions, especially intermediate and junior . Maybe I am incorrect just off the top of my head

njcat

Martins deserved their win yesterday even with some poor frees from Rory. I thought Rory was MOTM and suberb at every winning ball in his gen area. Jack was excellent with 6 points.

njcat

In my opinion, Martins and Balkygunnar are at peak fitness in early Dec. Both risk being beaten by Loughrea who will peak for the final 8 weeks away. Eire Og and Shamrocks took the risk of not peaking at this stage and paid the price.
Shefflin has done a great job resurrecting Eoin Cody and Darragh Corcoran. TJ had an off day from play yesterday but incredible free taking and his performance v Tipp proved he is still a key player for Kilkenny if he decides to continue.
Shamricks were always at their fittest / peak as I recall in the AI semi and final and I suspect were training for same this year.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124051819#Comment_124051819

OLG must be disappointed to get well bet in the final.

jamesbond2022

After watching martins vs na fiana I thought Saturdays game was always going to be 50/50 especially with Adrian Mullen missing

Shamrocks hadn’t the panel depth to have a serious tilt at the all Ireland unfortunately

Sir Chaz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124051819#Comment_124051819

Shamrocks were as fit as they were going to be, the semi is on in 3 weeks. Injuries and panel depth were their main issues, and TJ looked injured to me. I said after the match that he looked his age but he couldn't have fallen off a cliff like that considering he was still very effective very recently. Someone said he was carrying an injury and that makes sense. He was just off it, even his decision making was poor, and had he put the last handy point over they'd be in the semi.

Martin's have a similar style to Ballygunnar albeit not as basketbally/footbally. They defend in numbers and run though the lines. They bizarrely hit a free from their 65, with a breeze, back into their full back line in the 1st half to work it out. They could rattle Ballygunnar. It would be great to see them win it out.

Upperchurch will be difficult opponents for Danesfort, they look a very capable team with a lot of very good hurlers. Danesfort have a deep panel which will help them. Interesting to see where that game will take place.

Nedflanders02

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124052316#Comment_124052316

I think the panel dept definitely went against them on Saturday, added into that the fact that Brian Cody, Ronan Corcoran and Paddy Mullen were abroad until June/July and didn't have a full pre-season behind them, I felt Martins were better conditioned on the night. I think for those lads with a full pre-season behind them next year, get Adrian Mullen back fit, if the likes of Darren Mullen and Joey Cuddihy were back from their travels and with a good crop of minors coming through their squad dept should be a lot better next season. They'll be disappointed to not see out the game on Saturday but they'll be going no where and will be back even stronger next season! Also, from a Kilkenny persepctive I thought Darragh Corcoran and Eoin Cody were outstanding on Saturday and I think have to be 2 of our main players next year, you could build a very decent team with them as the spine of your team! Niall Shorthall I thought also has had a very good season for them and I think would thrive playing summer hurling for Kilkenny. Am I right in saying the Shamrocks players on the KK panel for next year are TJ and Richie Reid, Eoin Cody, Darragh and Killian Corcoran, Dean Mason and Adrian Mullen?

jamesbond2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124052392#Comment_124052392

Would agree with a lot of that when lads are in and out travelling etc every few years it’s hard to be as sharp and fit for sure

Shamrocks did well to get as far as they did with there numbers and injuries although they have a few younger players coming im not sure there coming quick enough they have lost an awful lot of experience from there bench alone in the last 5 years

Short hall reminds me of a young Eddie Brennan will be interesting to see how he goes with kk when the ground gardens up as you say

He’s a bit of a rough diamond but the raw material is there

Krazy gang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124051800#Comment_124051800

I think you're right. Cork seems to win the vast majority of the junior and intermidiate championships at munster level.

Krazy gang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124052385#Comment_124052385

You'd imagine they'd toss for Thurles or nowlan park. Not much benefit to either club bringing them to Portlaoise.

Upper church only pulled away in the munster final after the clare team having 2 players sent off after half time.

supernova5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124051819#Comment_124051819

I wouldn't be dismissing Slaughtneil right off the bat at all

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124052392#Comment_124052392

Martins actually had a few in that boat too,from the starting 15 Saturday Barry O'Connor and Jake Firman last 2 years have only arrived back from Syndey in July, Aaron Maddock is only back full time since the summer after teaching in Dubai for 5 years, he came back sporadically in that time like Colin Fennelly would have. Mikey Coleman was in Canada for 2 or 3 years before this year. Joe O'Connor did his ACL in June, he probably be starting in a middle 3rd position.

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124052316#Comment_124052316

That's it, I know Ballyhale between injuries and travelling aren't at full capacity but on the balance of play Martins were probably 4 or 5 points a better team but it's a testament to the resilience, spirit and efficiency of Ballyhale they nearly won. It's all hypothetical but actually think if Na Fianna had got over the Martins they would have beat the Ballyhale side togged out on Saturday, they've a serious forward line at club level between the 2 Currie's, Donal Burke and AJ Murphy.

Billy Ocean

Hearing rumours Ballygunner/ Martins is on in Thurles Sunday 21st at 3.30, don't know is the pitch an issue in Nowlan Park or no floodlights given it's a result on the day and maybe TG4 want a certain throw in time, Dr Cullen Park I know is closed till the new year to renovate the dressing rooms.

Billy Ocean

Danesfort v Upperchurch on Sunday 21st at 2 in Portlaoise.

Nedflanders02

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124053488#Comment_124053488

Yeah I don't doubt that at all and wasn't trying to belittle the Martins win in any way, was more looking at it from a Shamrocks perspective and how they come back from this next year.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124055128#Comment_124055128

Yes Joe O'Connor is an excellent player and big loss for Martins. Best of luck to them in the All Ireland Semi Final. They are a fine team

Krazy gang

Danesfort upper church in portlaoise

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124053751#Comment_124053751

What I gather is Kilkenny County board wouldn't make Nowlan Park available due to the pitch, in fairness it looked under pressure in some of the recent games.

randd1

What’s the story with the county finances?

Rumours were in trouble despite reports to the contrary? Now they’re only rumours, and should be taken with a pinch of salt, but does anyone have any clue as to the reality we’re facing?

robbiezero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124051800#Comment_124051800

Up to I think 2022, Tipp would have been represented by their 33rd team in this competition, but with the introduction of the Premier intermediate instead of the Seamus P Riain or Senior B, it is now the 17th best team which obviously makes a big difference.

nippy corner foward

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124053516#Comment_124053516

Great Wknd for the two wexford clubs last weekend after some near misses the last few years especially junior. The confidence beating 2 kk clubs will also be worth a few points considering kk are usually very strong at club level. Martins outworked the shamrocks but were the better team and most here would like to see them win it out now. We all highlighted the lack of dept that probably would catch them. Couple of more experienced lads likw ronan corcoran and brian cody also quite. While he mightnt start next year jake mullen will definitely be a help coming on. A well known wexford man told me at the match keith rossitor will be down a good few players next year will he? This should give wexford hurling a lift but as we all know its chalk and cheese. Waterford would of won a few senior munsters by know with ballygunners dominance. Looking foward to the two semi finals.

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124058126#Comment_124058126

Yeah plenty of rumours of some lads not commiting next year but suppose won't know the full story till Walsh Cup and League, completely agree club and Inter County are 2 different entities but any bit of success is always welcome. In fairness 2 of the last 4 Leinster Juniors have been won by Wexford teams, Horeswood won in 2022.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124058146#Comment_124058146

Pity for Wexford, if they lined up with the 3 O Connor's, Chin, McDonald, Paidi Foley, the Recka, Liam Ryan and probably a few more they would go very hard on winning Leinster. They seem to struggle to field there best 15 at any given time