Kilkenny GAA Thread Part 2 MOD NOTE POST 1*

Topcat32 · 25-02-2018 05:54PM

FCIM wrote: »

I don't get how every Kilkenny supporter I speak to can see this but Cody and his staff can't.

Well I don't agree with it, has a lot of work to do but loads of potential in my opinion.

brookville · 25-02-2018 06:06PM

JJs Left Hand wrote: »

Lads that block by Lester. And the one by Bucks. But Lesters one. Immense.

Richie Leahy has unreal potential.

TJ Reid is just class.

Weird game. Both teams looked like they've done some heavy training and the basic skills were poor throughout but exciting finish.

Pitch like a bloody carpet as well.

But Lesters block.

Blanch made a great run in the opening minutes but anonymous till he won the penalty.i thought when he came on against waterford in thurles and scored 3 points and win a vital free a few years ago he might kick on but unfortunately it just hasn't happened for him at club or u21 level although he did try hard in the u21 final.
Leahy looks like a great prospect and has being consistent with his performances.

blackcard · 25-02-2018 06:48PM

Things didn't work out today for either Keoghan or Lyng but Leahy played very well when he went to midfield which I think is his best position. Delighted with the effort from the team and the win. Rare that there is a poor game between these teams and the crowd really got onto the match in the second half. Tipp should be delighted with the performance considering the players that they were missing but I can't understand why Noel McGrath or Paudie Maher didn't start. Nowlan Park looked superb in contrast to Walsh Park last week.

Shirleysrumbler · 25-02-2018 06:54PM

Kilkenny 2015 Survivors= Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, Joey Holden, Padraig Walsh,, Cillian Buckley, Conor Fogarty; Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan, TJ Reid; Ger Aylward, Colin Fennelly,
Add Deegan,Delaney,E Morrissey,Cleere, Browne,Leahy, Maher & Scanlon,Lester & R Reid = 20 useable players

FCIM · 25-02-2018 07:45PM

Topcat32 wrote: »

Well I don't agree with it, has a lot of work to do but loads of potential in my opinion.

I'd love to know what you see in him because to me he's the worst intercounty hurler (at the top level of the game at least) I've ever seen.

JJs Left Hand · 25-02-2018 07:48PM

Well that's a ridiculous statement to make

Topcat32 · 25-02-2018 07:58PM

FCIM wrote: »

I'd love to know what you see in him because to me he's the worst intercounty hurler (at the top level of the game at least) I've ever seen.

What I see in him is the ability to run through defences like he did in the first minute today, he is tall, strong and has a decent level of skill. He got on some ball in midfield today and used it ok, he also scored a point and won a penalty. You also seem to forget that he probably was Kilkennys best forward in their last two league matches last year and along with Conor Delaney was the only Kilkenny player to offer any resistance against Limerick in the under 21 final. Also you have to factor in his performance against Waterford in the 2016 semi final before making a comment like the worst player ever.

He was poor for the senior team in the summer and seems to have lost a lot of confidence, he also has been very weak in the air at senior level. Serious work needed and improvement needs to happen pretty quickly as well but I see more in him as a senior county player than the likes of Chris Bolger or Conor Martin.

FCIM · 25-02-2018 08:14PM

JJs Left Hand wrote: »

Well that's a ridiculous statement to make

Maybe it's a bit over-the-top, I admit, but surely there has to be a serious question why a hurler who consistently performs so poorly at under 21 level even gets close to the squad for the senior team.

Topcat32 wrote: »

FCIM wrote: »

I'd love to know what you see in him because to me he's the worst intercounty hurler (at the top level of the game at least) I've ever seen.

What I see in him is the ability to run through defences like he did in the first minute today, he is tall, strong and has a decent level of skill. He got on some ball in midfield today and used it ok, he also scored a point and won a penalty. You also seem to forget that he probably was Kilkennys best forward in their last two league matches last year and along with Conor Delaney was the only Kilkenny player to offer any resistance against Limerick in the under 21 final. Also you have to factor in his performance against Waterford in the 2016 semi final before making a comment like the worst player ever.

He was poor for the senior team in the summer and seems to have lost a lot of confidence, he also has been very weak in the air at senior level. Serious work needed and improvement needs to happen pretty quickly as well but I see more in him as a senior county player than the likes of Chris Bolger or Conor Martin.

Maybe he's just a sign of how thin on the ground we are for hurlers at the moment. Here is genuinely the first place I've come across Kilkenny people who think he has anything in him at this level.

Kkman00 · 25-02-2018 08:22PM

FCIM wrote: »

Maybe it's a bit over-the-top, I admit, but surely there has to be a serious question why a hurler who consistently performs so poorly at under 21 level even gets close to the squad for the senior team

It is most Definetly an over the top comment to make. He has had some good games for kilkenny including against Waterford in an all ireland semi final and played well in some league games last year. To say he's the worst inter county player youve ever seen is a farcical comment to make.

Topcat32 · 25-02-2018 08:24PM

FCIM wrote: »

Maybe it's a bit over-the-top, I admit, but surely there has to be a serious question why a hurler who consistently performs so poorly at under 21 level even gets close to the squad for the senior team.

Maybe he's just a sign of how thin on the ground we are for hurlers at the moment. Here is genuinely the first place I've come across Kilkenny people who think he has anything in him at this level.

Sorry you must not have talked to anybody from Kilkenny after the 2016 semi final, he looked like a great prospect then. I can see why people would be frustrated with him though. Are we all that thin in the ground for young hurlers with potential, I think we have as many as almost all the other counties, our problem for me is that we have less 24 to 26 year olds at the top level compared to the other counties challenging for all irelands.

Powerhouse · 25-02-2018 09:32PM

blackcard wrote: »

I can't understand why Noel McGrath or Paudie Maher didn't start.

I think it's very understandable. Clearly they were in experimental mode and not overly concerned with the result. If they desperately needed to win no doubt you'd have seen the players mentioned.

dubcat51 · 25-02-2018 09:50PM

Blanchfield has in general been poor since he has come into senior.bar the waterford semi he hasnt delivered on the promise he showed at minor.bolger kelly awlyard offer far morethreat than blanch.connor martin is one that I cant see why he is still there.blanch has all the tools to be a top player bur he needs to start using them.

davidx40 · 25-02-2018 10:01PM

Good win for team today but babt steps as they say , i do agree about blanchfield i just cant see him ever being good enough and Alan Murphy is in same boat

JJs Left Hand · 25-02-2018 10:05PM

Alan Murphy has great potential in my opinion. His movement off the ball is excellent and I think he has a great hurling brain in terms of the positions he takes up in the forwards. Definitely one to keep around.

usualstripes · 25-02-2018 10:06PM

Powerhouse wrote: »

I think it's very understandable. Clearly they were in experimental mode and not overly concerned with the result. If they desperately needed to win no doubt you'd have seen the players mentioned.

Considering both sides were missing a good few regulars it was a positive outing for both sides. There is definitely plenty of bite in the Kilkenny side at the minute.
Ends Morrissey did well in the corner and Deegan also did well on the other side. Joey did well in the 2st half but struggled in the 2nd half.
If padraig is coming back to no. 3 then it would d a better bet to have Deegan and Morrissey beside him.
Don't want to seem too harsh on any player but Conor o shea is just not up to the standard required. Not commanding under the dropping ball and doesn't have the pace required. His distribution is also poor. Deegan had to cover for him a number of times in the 2nd half.
Buckley and Browne did well. Browne seems very confident considering it was his 1st start.
Maher did well months middle. Blanchfield string but finds it hard to gather the ball under pressure. Leahy very good when he came out.
Mossy and pat lyng quieter today. Tj class.
Walter strong. Scanlon good too. Took his goal very well. Could have had one in the 1st half if he had travelled like he did for his 2nd.
Lester worked hard and came up with a heroic block in injury time as did Buckley.
Alan Murphy decent when he came in.
Im sure Conor Delaney will slot in instead of o shea. Anyone know when cleere is back?
Conor fogarty in for Maher although Maher is improving all the time.
Leahy to stay in the middle. Lester still an option in the middle to leave Leahy to 12.
In fairness things are coming together considering the following have to come back that weren't there today.

Padraig Walsh
Jason cleere
Paul Murphy
Conor delaney
Conor fogarty
Richie Hogan
Colin fennelly
John Donnelly
Kevin Kelly
Ger aylward
John Walsh
Billy Ryan

Promising to say the least. Gelling reasonably well atm.
Am I missing anyone else?

brookville · 25-02-2018 10:20PM

Eoin murphy to also come back..I wonder what kinda team davey will send up next week With them through.4 points should do us to qualify if tipp win and we lose we'll probably end up in 4th and have scoring difference ahead of waterford and cork that's what I was told anyway

Topcat32 · 25-02-2018 10:24PM

brookville wrote: »

Eoin murphy to also come back..I wonder what kinda team davey will send up next week With them through.4 points should do us to qualify if tipp win and we lose we'll probably end up in 4th and have scoring difference ahead of waterford and cork that's what I was told anyway

If Tipp win we are through whatever happens anywhere else. Obviously dont want to be relying on that.

brookville · 25-02-2018 10:41PM

Topcat32 wrote: »

If Tipp win we are through whatever happens anywhere else. Obviously dont want to be relying on that.

Id say tipp should beat cork at home with the college lads back and cork now minus harnedy.

Powerhouse · 25-02-2018 11:06PM

brookville wrote: »

Id say tipp should beat cork at home with the college lads back and cork now minus harnedy.

Should do but won't touch Cork in the championship. Heading for a Kilkenny-Tipp All Ireland quarter final on 15 July with Kilkenny having got there as Leinster runners up and Tipp as third team in Munster beating the Joe McDonagh winners. Winners of that (Kilkenny) will have a crack at Cork in the semi final but will lose. And we still won't have reached the 1st of August. Anyway you read it here first!

FCIM · 25-02-2018 11:14PM

Topcat32 wrote: »

FCIM wrote: »

Maybe it's a bit over-the-top, I admit, but surely there has to be a serious question why a hurler who consistently performs so poorly at under 21 level even gets close to the squad for the senior team.

Maybe he's just a sign of how thin on the ground we are for hurlers at the moment. Here is genuinely the first place I've come across Kilkenny people who think he has anything in him at this level.

Sorry you must not have talked to anybody from Kilkenny after the 2016 semi final, he looked like a great prospect then. I can see why people would be frustrated with him though. Are we all that thin in the ground for young hurlers with potential, I think we have as many as almost all the other counties, our problem for me is that we have less 24 to 26 year olds at the top level compared to the other counties challenging for all irelands.

I'd agree with this when I think about it. There's a lot of very good young hurlers coming through. Where we're very thin is on leaders, except for TJ and Richie, when he returns, there aren't a lot around. Maybe it's a hangover from the golden period where you didn't get a look in if you weren't outstanding. I've always firmly believed that Cody will not stick around if he sees nothing coming through and the fact he stayed after last year strongly suggested to me he sees something coming through. Doubt we'll do much this summer but give the man time.

Powerhouse · 25-02-2018 11:44PM

Topcat32 wrote: »

Sorry you must not have talked to anybody from Kilkenny after the 2016 semi final, he looked like a great prospect then. I can see why people would be frustrated with him though. Are we all that thin in the ground for young hurlers with potential, I think we have as many as almost all the other counties, our problem for me is that we have less 24 to 26 year olds at the top level compared to the other counties challenging for all irelands.

Not sure this actually matters all that much. That's really based on an ideal where a player lasts for 7/8 years and a team with a high number at this age has greater staying power. But it is possible for players to come good for a year or two later and to develop earlier too. The key for Kilkenny will be to have the exceptional three or four on the team irrespective of age.

Many people are mentioning the amount of players that have yet to come back including Paul Murphy and Colin Fennelly. But these were around last year too and didn't set the world alight. While there was too much despair a few weeks back there is a danger that too much will be read into recent improved results against weaker teams. The real challenge is to unearth a really special player or two extra to take them from last four contenders to All Ireland winners rather than worrying about the average age of the team. That might be a longer term job.

blackcard · 25-02-2018 11:47PM

Powerhouse wrote: »

I think it's very understandable. Clearly they were in experimental mode and not overly concerned with the result. If they desperately needed to win no doubt you'd have seen the players mentioned.

Tell that to all the Tipp supporters as they walked out of Nowlan Park today after losing by a point. If you have someone by the throat, you should throttle them.

Powerhouse · 25-02-2018 11:53PM

blackcard wrote: »

Tell that to all the Tipp supporters as they walked out of Nowlan Park today after losing by a point. If you have someone by the throat, you should throttle them.

I'm sure they would have worked it out for themselves from the team chosen.

(Not sure how Tipperary had Kilkenny "by the throat" either. They were seven points down three minutes into the second half weren't they and staring at a good beating? If there was any hand on a throat it was the other way around surely.)

TommyHilfiger · 26-02-2018 12:21AM

FCIM wrote: »

I'd agree with this when I think about it. There's a lot of very good young hurlers coming through. Where we're very thin is on leaders, except for TJ and Richie, when he returns, there aren't a lot around. Maybe it's a hangover from the golden period where you didn't get a look in if you weren't outstanding. I've always firmly believed that Cody will not stick around if he sees nothing coming through and the fact he stayed after last year strongly suggested to me he sees something coming through. Doubt we'll do much this summer but give the man time.

Cody could have going after the 2014 all Ireland replay when a lot of great men retired he stayed around won 2015 lost 2016, beaten after extra time by the finalists 2017 I don't think the man runs when the going gets tough.

Cornerback1 · 26-02-2018 01:14AM

It will take Paul Murphy and Colin Fennelly a bit of time to catch up in terms of their hurling when they come back.

Realt Dearg Sec · 26-02-2018 01:36AM

Cornerback1 wrote: »

It will take Paul Murphy and Colin Fennelly a bit of time to catch up in terms of their hurling when they come back.

No particular reason either of them should feel entitled to getting their place back. Although it's hard to see us being able to do without Murphy in the full back line that would be dependent on a serious return to form. Holden and Deegan are pretty far from nailed on starters but (as long as Holden is in the corner, not at 3) then they could both expect to be competing with a rusty Paul Murphy coming back from a long hiatus and off a couple of years of below his best play. Fennelly has been in the set up long enough now that we know he blows hot and cold and has trouble finishing, even though he is always a danger running at goal. I look forward to the two lads coming back and competing for places, but there's nothing to assume they'll both slot in immediately.

That's a good thing, by the way, reflects the fact there's a bit of competition in the panel again. Likes of Keoghan, Leahy, Martin, Deegan, have all staked out positions as serious members of the panel.

Village87 · 26-02-2018 09:27AM

davidx40 wrote: »

Good win for team today but babt steps as they say , i do agree about blanchfield i just cant see him ever being good enough and Alan Murphy is in same boat

TJ was different class yesterday, Unbelievable, Kilkenny could have been 10 points down at HT time if TJ didnt grab the game by the neck.

Cornerback1 · 26-02-2018 11:56AM

According to KP, Ger Aylward will be back next week-end. He will be in the 26. Could have played yesterday but did a bit of extra training to get right.

Another boost to the panel and competition for places.

danganabu · 26-02-2018 01:36PM

blackcard wrote: »

Tipp should be delighted with the performance considering the players that they were missing but I can't understand why Noel McGrath or Paudie Maher didn't start.

I would say that both sets of managment were delighted with the game, a huge learning curve for both.

northern lad · 26-02-2018 03:59PM

Powerhouse wrote: »

Not sure this actually matters all that much. That's really based on an ideal where a player lasts for 7/8 years and a team with a high number at this age has greater staying power. But it is possible for players to come good for a year or two later and to develop earlier too. The key for Kilkenny will be to have the exceptional three or four on the team irrespective of age.

Many people are mentioning the amount of players that have yet to come back including Paul Murphy and Colin Fennelly. But these were around last year too and didn't set the world alight. While there was too much despair a few weeks back there is a danger that too much will be read into recent improved results against weaker teams. The real challenge is to unearth a really special player or two extra to take them from last four contenders to All Ireland winners rather than worrying about the average age of the team. That might be a longer term job.

This year these players will turn the following ages: Walter 27, Cillian 26, Padraig 26, Joe Lyng 27, Ger Aylward 26, Conor O' Shea 25, Richie Reid 25, Rob Lennon 25, Kevin Kelly 25, .... All nine should make the championship 26.
Based on that this age bracket will give us more than any other age bracket in 2018

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

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Kilkenny GAA Thread Part 2 MOD NOTE POST 1*