Kilkenny GAA Thread

Interesting to see if Hayes keeps his spot after being taken off after 8 mins last week, played for his club the following day so doubt it was an injury, got taken for 1-6 and 0-8 from Dessie Hutchinson and Seamus Flanagan in the previous 2 games.

Richie Hogan is very likely to be named in the subs for next week and to come in as one of the first substitutions

I hope your right on Hogan lads.....Needs to be in 26 at minimum if he is in good shape and form.

You would think if it happens it would be at Tom Phelan's expense

The 2 semi finals in 2018&19 on Saturday's with no covid related crowd restrictions absorbing games, don't have an issue personally, problem with the Leinster final was the 7pm throw in.

Why? Saturday night let’s people go out for a meal / few drinks before or after.

work Monday morning puts people off travelling up to Dublin.

it’s pure tradition about Sundays, that’s what stops club games being held on any other day but a Sunday also. Times change for the better

Probably one of the better refs at the moment, I wouldn’t have any complaints anyway. Less attention seeking or likely to be swayed by the crowd than some of the others

Shot the lights out in the last training match by all accounts but I still can't see Cody using him in such a big game, he couldnt have the speed over the Clare backs.

Id love him to prove me wrong but.

This hurrying narrative really bugs me, this year's championship runs from April 16-July 24 (99 days) , last championship pre covid in 2019 ran from May 10-August 25 (106 days), shaving off 1 week is hardly a seismic shift, essentially the only adjustment was they got rid of the April club month which wasn't respected by alot of inter county managers, in my opinion the biggest issue in GAA in the last 10 years was the uncertainty club players faced regards when matches will and won't be played, i don't know if this year's calendar will be a success or not but any attempts to eradicate the problem i mentioned has to be given a chance.

its not work for me thats the issue, Saturday is for taxiing kids around to their activities :(, wouldn't mind having the time to sit down and have a meal and a few drinks before or after a game. Its a pain organising things ahead of time as well when you cant be sure what day the matches will be on

If Richie Hogan is fit enough to play Inter county hurling he should be a cert to see playing time. If he is not fit enough to play inter county hurling he has no business being at training.

It really is that simple.

In general there has been a shift in recent years to athletes continuing to play at the highest levels well in to their 30s, even ones who have been plagued with niggling injuries throughout their careers.

Nadal has been plagued with injuries his whole career, yet at 36 will play Wimbledon just weeks after being on crutches after his French Open win.

The media is always ushering great players in to retirement with constant "will this be your last year". I wish people would tell them to piss off and say "I'll play as long as I can once I am fit enough and enjoying it"

its a bit more than a niggling injury though, its a lot of work to get to possibly only one game in the year, must be very tough mentally to keep going. If he doesn't make this game it could be April before he gets another chance, unlikely to be playing league again. Hope he's not doing any long term damage.

did an interview on off the ball earlier this year when he spoke about the injuries for anyone that didn't hear it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g31P8_xZRt8

Some lads are never happy.. before we used to regularly see kk play 4 championship games to win an all ireland over a 5 month period.

Now for Kk to win they have to play a minimum of 8 championahip games.. its a much better scenario for everyone..

unfortunately it always comes back to trying to give the provincials some meaning. If the competition needs some incentive for teams to take it seriously like giving it points or a bye into the semis its not really a competition worth having

I used to really like the league, wasn't good this year with teams focussing on getting ready for the championship. Good opportunity for some of the other players to get some game time. I wouldn't be in favour of dropping it from a player development point of view

Hard to say that Kilkenny have improved from their semifinal defeat last year. Still hoping that Richie will come on and perform a miracle. Still looking for a settled midfield. No real improvement in our style of play. Clare's worst performance in the championship this year is arguably better than our best performance. Must be the last chance saloon for Cody. Can he preside over one more houdini act? Or will the knives be out for him?