Kilkenny GAA Thread

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119534404#Comment_119534404

Agree regarding Lawlor. Have wanted to see him given a spin at centre back for a while.

JJs Left Hand

Why would you want to move arguably the best full back in the country when we've been a bit of a disaster there since JJ retired especially when any time anyone else has got a go there's been a considerable drop off.

Neewollah

Lawlor has proven to be one of the best full backs in the country in recent years. Been a troublesome position for us for a long time. He's settled there and I wouldn't move him. From what I've seen in club games to date, think David Blanchfield could turn into an excellent long term centre back. Not sure if we have any other obvious options out there

Grats

Having watched Lawlor at centre back with his club I'm not convinced he's that comfortable there. Perhaps it's a case of him taking on too much in that position but he invariably gets hooked, blocked, drops the ball or runs into some kind of trouble. His initial play, winning of the ball and positional sense is good but then appears to take it that one step too far.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119538034#Comment_119538034

Full back is a crucial position in the modern game. He is outstanding there. We badly need a centre back but Lawlor is not the answer, arguably the best inter county full back in the game.

brookville

I think we may leave lawlor at 3 after struggling for a few years. We do need to find a 6. Could delaney slot in here? Lacks pace but hannon or conlan haven't pace. Moylan isn't too bad and Purcell will hopefully get a run next year. It was good to see Harry shine getting a run for the boro last weekend. James bergin was outstanding for his Club last weekend and like Shane Walsh if these 2 lads can get a bit of confidence they will both be an addition.

Grats

James Bergin and Conor Delaney might now flourish under new management regime. And there are probably other players in a similar situation out there.

PeggyShippen

No I disagree there. Setanta was a colossal player. Unmarkable at times. Aisake wasn't as good but still had alot of potential. I'd say Joyce would get back to playing hurling at intercounty level. He's already an unbelievable athlete. You could make a role for him to carry ball and release others. He might not ever get his touch back as good as it was but he could do a job. To be honest Kilkenny need him.

JJs Left Hand

We don't need him for **** sake. You can't go play AFL for 7 years and come back and become an inter county hurler. My memory of him at minor was a good but unspectacular centre back who was physically impressive for his age and looked like a pure leader. He wasn't outstanding by any means and it will be near impossible for him to come back, if he even wants to. Cork have tried this multiple times with Aidan Walsh as a footballer and didn't they have a lad last year that came back from AFL?

Hutchinson was a soccer player and his speed and athleticism in that sport translated to being a corner forward.

There are no similarities between the physicality of an AFL player and a hurler. How is this even being discussed when there is no indication he's even leaving Australia.

The Birchfield Boy

This Joyce talk is nothing but a sign of desperation on behalf of some kk lads!

therealdonster

Why don't you go do one then and leave us to it. Nobody here cares what you think...

kentu

If Joyce decides to come home for rest of hurling this year l which I assume he likely will he should be judged on that alone and not what happened 7 or 8 years ago, too much of what goes on in Gaa is judged on the past not in the current moment of time.

Must love hardship

Anyone else actually playing in the kk club scene this year, that hasn't got a run before, putting their hand up to be called up for county selection?

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119541542#Comment_119541542

Windgap have a couple of lads that I hear mentioned a lot. Young Purcell and Laundy who was on the training panel last year. I have not seen much of them at club level tbh.

brookville

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119542595#Comment_119542595

Windgap should be pushing for the junior this year but they were bullied by pat Hartley and tullogher last weekend. Tullogher thought them a lesson at the weekend

Infairness there isnt many around the county who were getting a raw deal the last few years and not in with the county. Sean morrissey and Liam blanchfield are hurling well for the bridge. Pat Lyng at wing back is hurling well for the rower.liam hennesy for Glenmore is hurling well. Michael Kenny for lisdowney. Eoin o neill for cshock. James bergin was excellent the other night.shane Walsh is another who has potential.

Village87

Any of the u20 All Ireland team standing out for there club? I have seen Paddy Langton on a couple of occasions this year and without being negative he has a lot of developing to do. A lot of the players play at Junior level, Purcell, Drennan, Drea, Jack and Killian Doyle, Walsh.

Kilkenny will have to start developing some of these these lads next year as it takes 2/3 years to build up the experience and mental strength required.

Pussyhands

https://www.rte.ie/sport/camogie/2022/0831/1319862-kilkenny-boss-dowling-hits-out-at-gaas-holiday-stance/

Embarrassing from this guy.

"We have heard that other county teams who reach men’s finals get help with their trip, get to bring their partners, and have spending money too. We have none of that whatsoever and I don’t think it is right in this day and age," Dowling stated.

Dowling estimates that his successful side trained up to 80 times this season to claim the 2022 title.

They began by working on individual programmes last November and trained collectively three times a week, as well as gym and recovery sessions from January.

Plenty of people around the country train week in week out and get nothing for it. I've seen the mens having to fundraise too with functions pre all Ireland final. The problem is no one is going to pay 150 euro for a function for a camogie team fundraiser. If teams get a holiday, fair play...if they don't, you shouldn't be expecting one. And looking for spending money and bringing partners on as well?

What else are folks in GAA getting out of it that we don't know of?

Village87

What organisation is expected to fund this? You would get a lot more at a club Semi Final in Senior and Intermediate than at a Camogie All Ireland semi final. GAA are not part of the camogie as far as I know. Really clutching at straws here. Maybe they should be hitting the sponsors Littlewood's and Dimplex for the funds required

Deskjockey

I like the fact that Brian Dowling is speaking out on behalf of his team. Yeah it mightnt work but it's better than just saying "it's always been this way and we can't change it"

Fair play to him

callaway92

Without being too brutal about it, they have no right to a free holiday. As noted above, the GAA literally have no say in this

This is all up to the Kilkenny Camogie Board raising money throughout the year and having money for things like this. Maybe in the future when sorting contracts with sponsors, they should include things like this etc.

But to go back to it, they aren’t ‘entitled’ to it anyway. Big fan of the team though I must say

Lowball

It’s a bit harsh. The county women have the same brutal training regime as the men. Surely a holiday isn’t too extravagant. Kilkenny & Limerick senior hurlers and their partners will be jetting off, so why not the camogies?

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119548939#Comment_119548939

I agree but who funds it? Camogie association in Kilkenny and Ireland do not have the resources, it has nothing to do with the GAA. The Government ? Sponsors are the best option.

Attendances with the exception of the All Ireland where most tickets are free are very poor. Did I hear the attendance for the semi final double header were 3k? There would be more at a good league match in Callan

therealdonster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119549153#Comment_119549153

Is this the same Village87 that spends all his time on here giving out about the county board, Cody, Cody's selections, lack of S&C and basically you name it, he will moan about it? Now giving out about the women's camoige team wanting a holiday.

Village87

They deserve a holiday and fair play for fundraising. I will be donating. The management are giving out about lack of resources for a holiday and stating inequality but who are they aiming this at and expecting to fund the holiday ?

Butterbeans

I'm not sure if he's expecting anyone to fund it, or asking for that. He's just pointing out the disparity between the camogie and the hurling. Nowhere in that article did I see any self entitlement to anything.

As was said above, it opens the topic up for discussion and might benefit other teams down the line if procedures are put in place by the camogie board, sponsors, along with fundraising. It's not a bad thing

Grats

Eddie O'Connor was laughed at and heavily criticised when he suggested a team holiday for All Ireland finalists years ago. It's the norm now.

greenspurs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119550755#Comment_119550755

Beat me to it......

I would put Dowlings comments in a similar bracket to what OConnor did , OConnors was a bit more public , on the steps of the Hogan stand.

I would imagine the Camogie Association would have the money to fund/contribute to a winners holiday. It should be done.

The KK girls had to pay €2 at every training session until recently for physio/food/facility ..... !

The Association had a balance carried forward of €2.4mill in 2021, compared to €1.6mill in 2020. (if im reading it correctly??)

Scroll to page 70.

https://camogie.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-Congress-Papers-Book1-5-5-22-Web.pdf

corner back 2

Great to see all the Kilkenny people on this forum lining up behind their All Ireland champion Camogie team and supporting them in their quest for a team holiday 🙃🙃

therealdonster

In fairness when you look at who has been doing that it's just the usual trolls like Village87 etc

Marrooned

Everyone expects the players to get holidays but expects someone else to pay for it especially people who don’t even support the teams on a regular basis.

brookville

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119547578#Comment_119547578

Im not going to name any chaps and they are chaps some that are getting their leaving cert results tomor.Alot of that team are still very young and after looking a few intermediate matches a few of them havent reached the highs of a few months ago but its a big step up playing club hurling in kk. We all know its a very good standard. This will give lads good experience and they'll get a taste of what its like to play at a higher level.

it was a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the u20,not many gave them a chance and it was all over in a few weeks and they won the all Ireland.

Not many players make the transition straight away so we will need to have a bit of patience.Moylan,tallis and Purcell are up to the age and have being better for their clubs than a few of the younger lads.Billy drennan has played little or no hurling for galmoy.Id expect Purcell and moylan to be called in.

I do agree that alot of these lads come from junior clubs so it's important that these lads don't dissappear once they become overage. The intermediate competition is a loss and it was beneficial to players developing.it will be hard keep lads together with no competitive games but some counties run a u23 development squad I don't know would their be an appetite for this in kilkenny.

The last round of league matches take place this weekend and the bridge are the form team but as alot of teams have learned a good league doesn't count for much when the championship starts. Willie maher is now being tipped to take the laois job. The bridge are going well and are getting the best out of the 2 morriseys and blanchfields. The shamrocks are unbelievable to be down a chunk of their team and still be winning these matches.Darrren mullen going off injured again he's cursed with injury. Vegas got a few lads back and got two good wins recently.Tullaron weren't far away last year and if they get on a run they'll be a match for alot of teams.The boro have really turned things around after a terrible start against the bridge but they have plenty of good players and a very impressive back room team.Harry shine was very good the other day.Glenmore have also being competitive.Liam hennesy is hurling well for them.Lisdowney competing very well just losing matches narrowly.Michael kenny is hurling well for them.Comer will be dissapointed to lose the other day but gbc are going very poor.

Cshock and danesfort are consistent at intermediate. Danesfort winning a few matches narrowly and the rower losing a few narrowly.Richie power has cshock going well and they've 9 goals in the last 2 games. Jake o dywer and eoghan o neill both hurling very well and could also get a call up.Thomastown losing to gowran might do them no harm in the long run. They've a few injured lads to get back but unfortunately for them I think they've a few gone for the year. Dylan caulfield and Jay Burke are long term

Windgap were going well up to the other day when tullogher bossed them and beat them by 10 points. Wally and conor hennesy made a return and they've a few good young players like Danny glennon. Windgap won the league last year and got knocked out in the 1st round but they should push hard for the junior this year.

greenspurs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119557074#Comment_119557074

I wouldnt say 'everyone' (on here) expects the players to get a holiday.....

and the second line ? Its a bit of a moot point. How often people support the camogie team(s) has nothing to do with the fact that the Camogie Assoc SHOULD pay for the Senior all ireland winners team holiday ......

bamayang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119557368#Comment_119557368

Not many would be able give as informed a view across the grades and teams. Fair play.

tbiggertycome

It looks like Darragh Joyce is on his way home from his last post.

I completely understand that he has a huge amount to do to regain his touch in hurling and the likely hood is he won't get back to the level required. There are a few things he has going for him though. He's been training at a professional level for 8 years, he's physical stature and he's natural leadership. Some have said he hasn't touched a hurl in 8 years, which is not true I've regularly seen him pucking about in Oz on his social media, a world away from what he would need to be doing but he has been pucking around a bit, I'd be fairly sure the O'Halpin boys didn't touch a hurl once they left Ireland (could be wrong). If memory serves my right Joyce played a game for the Rower a few years ago when home. It was all hush hush but it got back to the club in Oz and there was talks they might end his contract. Some have said on here that he was a fairly limited hurler even when he was playing but I can't agree. Was he a TJ or Richie Hogan no, not at all but he was definitely had the potential to be a Mick Fennelly type player fiercely strong, physically dominating and intelligent hurler. I remember he played the Boro before he went to Australia after winning the minor AI and he was midfield or half forward and he was incredibly impressive at 18. Took frees and got a few scores from play too.

All this is to say I wouldn't write him off completely as most have here. He has a long way to go to get up to the level of intercounty hurling. The chances are stacked against him but he also has a lot going for him and they are things that he can use to make up for some of his short comings. I think just having a guy from a professional setup in the dressing room at some stage in the future could be hugely beneficial to a young Kilkenny team.

I certainly wish him well and I'm sure he'll line out for the Rower if he gets back in time. I won't be holding my breath waiting for him to charge in and save the day for Kilkenny but if he every rediscovered his touch no one can deny that a smart, 6'5", tank like him with speed could do a job for Kilkenny.

Marrooned

I think Seán Purcell is under age next year.

Cumhachtach

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560633#Comment_119560633

Regarding the hush hush hurling game with the Rower. It surprises me they were afraid it would jeopardise his AFL contract. Zach Tuohy has played an average of 2 senior club games a year with Portlaoise since 2010, usually a championship semi and final. They are well publicised.

They always involve a club player trying to take Tuohy out with a shoulder and bouncing off him! Tuohy is in a different league to Joyce, still playing and second Irish man only to Jim Stynes in AFL appearances.

With Darragh Joyce you have a big fit strong man who played minor inter county hurling in 2014. He didn't make a major impact in Aussie Rules. The only thing he has over the club player coming in for trials is that he's better conditioned. But for an entirely different sport! If he was coming back to play gaelic football there'd be some similarities in the games.

I wish him well and will hold up my hand if he makes it. But only 3 or 4 minors make senior in general. Let alone a man playing a totally different sport for 8 years. Tommy Walsh of Kerry left after being young player of the year in 2008, playing senior with Kerry, he came back in the mid 2010s and made some 10-15 minute sub cameos for Kerry up to last year. His father, the great Sean Walsh, said AFL destroyed him as a gaa player.

The Birchfield Boy

The tractor men will be very happy so! 🚜

tbiggertycome

I'll likely butcher this, trying to convey a conversation I had this morning with a lad who went from a professional sporting setup back to amateur level at the end of his career and he reckons Joyce's biggest barrier to getting his hurling back to a decent level will be mental. If he can adjust to the difference between a professional setup and an amateur one then he has a great chance. Most fail at this because they find this drop in level very hard to deal with mentally. It's not a arrogant or big time Charlie thing it's just that your used to operating at a higher level and there can be a lot of frustration to adapt to a lower level and speed of thought and game.

I don't think that would be as much of an issue for Joyce as it would be for say a footballer coming back to play for his county. The footballer is playing a similar game but now at a slightly lower level setup wise. As has been pointed out on here there are lads like Zach Touhy who can do it (admittedly at club level) I think this show's his ability to adapt but lots have failed to adapt too. I don't know enough about football but I'm fairly sure a few lads have come back from the AFL and done well at intercounty football, Tadhg Kennelly for Kerry and Clark for Down (even if Down were poor) are the only two I know of I'm sure there are others, wouldn't be up on the ould football.

Joyce if he can make it will have enough ground to make up in his hurling skills and so that frustration level will be at his own skill level which he can work on if he chooses. No one has ever tried to go from AFL back to intercounty hurling other than Aisake Ó Halpín and if nothing else it will be an interesting journey to keep an eye on.

Must love hardship

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119563825#Comment_119563825

Maybe he will come back and become a dual star with kilkenny..

Could be a big addition to the football team.

Lowball

Now lads, gather yourselves in relation to Joyce. Was he ever near the senior panel before he left?? Why would he be ‘an addition’ 8 years later?

Grats

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119564658#Comment_119564658

Would he make it onto football team!

kentu

Can't believe this story has dominanted the discussion thread throughout the past week with loads of Club Hurling going on

tbiggertycome

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119565352#Comment_119565352

Sure tell us about some of the club games you were at so?

Just back from the Boro and Village. An absolutely dire game with more wides than scores easily finished 2-12 to 0-14. Bill Sheehan probably the only bright spot in a lot of poor performances got at least 2-3 from play. Boro were missing Buckley, Padraig Moylan and Liam Moore while the Village were missing Conor Browne and Niall Brassil.

It was the ultimate dead rubber game and they never gave the crowd anything to get their teeth into. Harry Shine struggled to replicate his good performance from last week but Timmy Clifford came on for the last fifteen and eventually got into the game and got a point. Ross Whelan and Scanlon got a few scores for the Village but playing Cian Kenny as a sweeper for most of the second half was robbing Peter to pay Paul. Nothing at stake only city bragging rights and neither team would want to brag too much after that performance. Better to come surely from both although the Villages form would suggest they'll struggle to lift it from here.

brookville

The best thing to do with Joyce is wait till he's home first and hopefully he'll get a few games under his belt with the rower and see how that goes first. If he's hurling well and gets a call in next year great if he isn't hurling well or hasn't a notion of playing for kk that's ok aswell. We'll see how he gets on for the rower first. He definitely wasn't too bad a few years ago for a brief stint but that's a few years ago. He might not want to try to make the kk panel. We'll have to wait and see how it goes. Hopefully he can come back and settle down,find a suitable job and accommodation etc first

Went into the boro match aswell. Only bragging rights on offer. Both teams missing a few key player's. Both teams guilty of poor shooting especially the boro at the start of the second half. Harry will be dissapointed with a few good efforts that went wide but he's definitely an addition to the boro. Bill sheehan was good at different stages and although he drove a few wides he has worked on his striking and he's enjoying the freedom out around the half foward line. It will be intresting to see how he goes here with things heat up.The boro are comfortable moving the ball around and as I said the other day they've a good back room team. The village have a few players to come back but they will need to lift things a good bit if they're to have any kind of say In this championship.

blackcard

Darren Mullen listed to start at full back with Colin Fennelly No. 31 for the Shamrocks. Will be interesting to see how much they and Tullaroan put into the match.

Senditinlow

Tullaroan will want to win for sure, think they will play O'Loughlins if they lose. They will want to avoid them early on i'd imagine. Shamrocks getting players back looks ominous for everyone else. Mullinavat could end up in relegation if Comer pull off a shock win, is Michael Murphy back yet for them? Love the format in KK senior/intermediate league/championship. Was at Tullaroan v Ballycallan U13 B championship Friday, what a match from both sides. It had everything passion, skill, relentess hurling some cracking scores and the free taking was off the charts. Some crowd too brought a brilliant atmosphere. Hats off to both teams for such a great match, future looks bright for both clubs, Ballycallan won 1-11 to 0-10

Neewollah

1st round:

OLG v MVat

Shamrocks v Glenmore

Village v Lisdowney

Comer v GBC

League Final:

Bennettsbridge v Tullaroan

Shield Final:

Clara v Dicksboro

blackcard

I have been impressed by Tullaroan bar their match against Mullinavat, they have been putting up good scores and Shane Walsh has returned to form. Mullinavat will face OLG coming off 3 wins in a row and might come close. I still think that Shamrocks are vulnerable but unlikely to be Glenmore. The Village will be nervous enough facing Lisdowney.

brookville

Glenmore and o loughlins was an enjoyable match. Both teams played better against the wind. Glenmore gave away a really soft goal a quick free from the goalie was intercepted and put away. Owen wall was back today and he was lively after missing alot of hurling. Alan Murphy was togged but didn't play. Ian byrne was very good and Liam hennesy who mightnt be the most stylish got 4 or 5 points off huw lawlor. Lawlor himself got 2 points. O loughlins will be dissapointed that Glenmore opened them up a few times when they ran at them. Glenmores target at the start of the year was probably stay up and they've achieved that and being very competitive In all their matches. Shane Walsh and Billy Reid were also good today. Unlucky for them they've drawn the shamrocks. Darren mullen didn't play but Colin came on. Tullaron won't be any push overs and they've mossy and Shane Walsh hurling well. Shane is definitely a lad who could do well under Derek Lyng.

Clara were always comfortable against lisdowney. Chris bolger with the clara goal and lisdowney got a late consolidation goal.Vegas will be delighted with the last few matches. John Walsh was a thorn in the comer side who had Michael Murphy come on. Sean Ryan was good for ballycallan who had a better performance against the bridge who were minus Liam blanchfield.

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119570568#Comment_119570568

Looking in from the outside the shield final looks like a completely pointless game, a game the teams involved would be delighted not to play.