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

Half back seems to be Padraig Walshs best position and he has been excellent for us and is contributing 2 points a game, however it is a worry that he is leaving holes when he attacks.

We get away with it against the likes of Waterford or other teams who have less forwards inside. But against Tipperary and the threat that there inside line provides we should have sat way deeper and offered more protection. Padraig was driving forward as we chased the game and things got worse from there but I for one don't think Cody will panic and he will look to maybe find a corner back and centre back.

Don't think he will overhaul the entire back line or play Buckley at full back as a few suggest, I think he will stick with Joey at full back to start with but try a few in there as the league goes on. It will be a clean slate with Cody anyway he knows the boys will be hurting and will go harder this year and he won't be ruling anyone out or in just yet.

We are in a good position for the year ahead with plenty writing us off and if we experiment in the league, avoid relegation but find one or two I would be happy with that. With TJ, Richie, Aylward, Walter up front and a better defensive game plan we will be right in the mix.

Village87 wrote: »

Padraig Walsh is an exceptional hurler for Kilkenny, good in the air, aggressive, great striker both sides. Kilkennys best back by a long way.
Kilkenny need him in the backs but a great option in the forwards, wrists to match the best forwards in the country such as bubbles, R Hogan, TJ, Joe Canning, not sure can we afford to do this though.
Apart from Riche and TJ Kilkenny lack natural forwards. Walter Walsh, Colin Fennelly, Liam Blanchfield, Jonjo Farrell are not big scorers, they are great athletes and workers and every forward line needs two of these but players like Riche Hogan, TJ,Bubbles can make the ball sing and these players get the big scores in the big games, IMO Padraig Walsh can provide this

Ger Aylward is a natural forward, as is John Walsh and Kevin Kelly. Colin Fennelly is capable of scoring heavily on his best form and Walter has a good scoring record. Its too early to say Blanchfield will not score heavily at intercounty level. I think we did seriously miss Aylwards speed last year allright and with him back in the team and hopefully John Walsh to provide further options there should be a nice balance to the forwards next year.

I think TJ and Richie should stay in the forwards next year whatever the circumstances, the tactic of bringing them back into midfield ultimately worked against Kilkenny.

I am going on last years All Ireland squad, id love to see these young players step up and Ger Aylward back in contention.

Both played with their respective clubs at the end of last year so both should be available later in the year.They shouldn't be rushed back but both will be big additions if they can reproduce the form they had

suirway wrote: »

Any dates on the rounds for the local senior/inter/junior leagues??

Didn't see anything published yet but the first round of league championship games in all grades is usually the second weekend of April.

Junior all county league normally starts on the second or third weekend of March.

Any word on a team for sunday.

Kk team v antrim
1. E. Murphy
2j.holden
3.m walsh
4s pender
5p.murphy
6.r.lennon
7.c fogarty
8c.martin
9.o.walsh
10.r.leahy
11.pat lyng

12 walter
13tj
14 jonjo
15 rchie

2-12 to 0-10 ht

Lennon done ok .bigger tests ahead

https://twitter.com/KilkennyCLG/status/820653944473088000

Hope Walsh's injury isn't to serious. Good to see a few lads getting a run out. Hopefully it'll continue over the next few games. Pity T.J. and Richie don't get a bit more of a break, especially in these games.

jeff bingham wrote: »

In fairness there only 28 and 29 years old and have had over 2 months off. You could argue over giving other lads a chance to see what there like alright but the two lads are probably mad to play

Yes but the majority of those two months 'off' were probably spent in the gym. Given that Richie is injury prone and that pitch conditions aren't the best, I'd personally prefer not to see him playing against Antrim in the Walsh Cup.

jeff bingham wrote: »

Cornerback1 wrote:

Hope Walsh's injury isn't to serious. Good to see a few lads getting a run out. Hopefully it'll continue over the next few games. Pity T.J. and Richie don't get a bit more of a break, especially in these games.

In fairness there only 28 and 29 years old and have had over 2 months off. You could argue over giving other lads a chance to see what there like alright but the two lads are probably mad to play

I don't doubt they are mad to play but it's a long season, especially when you take club action into account. I saw T.J. play in Thurles in the Inter Pro's a week before Christmas so I know he's mad keen to play. It's mid Jan and conditions aren't great and it's really a no match in certain respects. We know what the both of them are capable of and I just think an extra week or two of a break will do them no harm.

They are 2 of our key men and I feel that other lads should get a chance in the Walsh Cup.

Cornerback1 wrote: »

I don't doubt they are mad to play but it's a long season, especially when you take club action into account. I saw T.J. play in Thurles in the Inter Pro's a week before Christmas so I know he's mad keen to play. It's mid Jan and conditions aren't great and it's really a no match in certain respects. We know what the both of them are capable of and I just think an extra week or two of a break will do them no harm.

They are 2 of our key men and I feel that other lads should get a chance in the Walsh Cup.

Wasnt at the game but saw the teamsheet on twitter, TJ was originally down as a sub. The only other forward listed in the subs was Alan Murphy. Id imagine they are down a few with collage commitments and injury so maybe that is why Richie and TJ played

Topcat32 wrote: »

Cornerback1 wrote: »

I don't doubt they are mad to play but it's a long season, especially when you take club action into account. I saw T.J. play in Thurles in the Inter Pro's a week before Christmas so I know he's mad keen to play. It's mid Jan and conditions aren't great and it's really a no match in certain respects. We know what the both of them are capable of and I just think an extra week or two of a break will do them no harm.

They are 2 of our key men and I feel that other lads should get a chance in the Walsh Cup.

Wasnt at the game but saw the teamsheet on twitter, TJ was originally down as a sub. The only other forward listed in the subs was Alan Murphy. Id imagine they are down a few with collage commitments and injury so maybe that is why Richie and TJ played

Still they a break would do them no harm.