Kilkenny GAA Thread

Is the schedule done as to avoid a clash with Electric Picnic as there doesn't seem to be any matches scheduled that weekend?

Oh it definetly is scheduled that way for that reason I still don’t see why it’s all cramped together and a lot of players are playing 3 weeks in a row and possibly 2 games in 24 or 72hrs

fair play Ned , I misinterpreted that, tired in the evenings, that’s my excuse anyway. On the Henry thing, I would certainly have him as U20 manager, some people disagreeing but would want to suggest alternatives the more all these names are thrown out there the better.

I personally can't have Brian Hogans name up there as a potential manager. Won a county with a stacked defence and as soon as they lost Luke Hogan they had a complete meltdown in last years final and should've been knocked out by the Boro before that. Their backroom team is serious as well and I'd imagine Skehan is doing all the coaching with Mickey Comerford all the S&C. Obviously you need someone to bring it all together but whenever I heard him on Dalys podcast I wasn't thinking this guys a genius. Similar to Tommy on OTB. I loved TW as a player and I love his personality but manager material? Nah... He's a vibes guy. He'd do a job as a selector but don't see him as main man or main coach material. I presume Coogan is doing the bulk of the Tullaroan coaching but maybe someone else will know more.

Brian Dowling, I'm torn on. Has done a great job with Kildare. Did a good job with the camogie before that and listening to him he clearly knows his stuff. I might have said this before but he probably has as big an influence on the KK underage set up as anyone in his current role as Kierans manager. Kierans already have an exaggerated role when players hit the gap between U17 and U20 and I'm not sure putting in a Kierans man is the right move. I think 12 of the 18 players who played minutes in the U20 final this year were Kierans players. Are we really to believe that 66% of the best hurlers in Kilkenny from ages 18-20 went to school in Kierans?

Very easy for me to question the names put forward but I honestly don't know who should get the jobs. Just because a man was an incredible hurler doesn't mean he'll make a good manager or coach. It just means he'll get more opportunity to showcase it.

When are the Arrabawn and Tony forrestal competitions on?

Personally speaking, I don't think they need to split it into a new club. Given total power, what I'd do is limit the catchment area to the ring road, and anything beyond that goes to existing clubs.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think Danesfort, Clara, Tullaroan, Threecastles (definitely need the numbers), Bennetsbridge, Conahy, Graigue/Ballycallan, I think they all border the town clubs. If a map was re-drawn to bring them into the ring road, that would help with numbers, and definitely help with future numbers.

Obviously some boundary would have to be re-structured regarding the Village's grounds, but the town will expand eventually, and will see more people move from rural areas into it. Moving the neighbouring cubs borders towards the ring road might a more feasible way of preventing an overload of numbers with the town teams, and giving existing clubs more members, and maybe in the long run (20/30 years down the line) a more even spread of the population.

At the very least, there should be a parentage/grandparent rule in place. A lad having family in a rural area should be allowed to transfer from a town team, but with clear restrictions (no moving up a level eg, junior to intermediate, players moving would have to commit to at least 5 years with the new club, etc.).

Carrickshock beat Threecastles in the Junior A semifinal......or am I missing something?

As far as i gather Michael Rice played but was never regraded, making him illegal. Threecastles appealed as a result

Interesting. I seen the fixture up and thought it strange

Yeh I'd have thought that as well? Not much incentive to avoid playing illegal players if all will happen is that you have to replay the game.

I see the Village won the Minor A league very comfortably tonight.

Whether the team has regressed or not is up for discussion. We have been consistently in the top three in Lyngs time despite this perceived regression and very narrowly beaten by the eventual champions the past two years having lost the'23 final to one of the greatest teams in the history of the game. This years semi was one of the best displays from a KK team in recent years. We were denied a potential All Ireland spot primarily by an error on the part of Croke Park that has never been properly accounted for. Our biggest problem imo is the lack of elite talent coming through due to a dearth of underage success since 2014. Even in Brian Codys final seven years we had a few tame exits from the championship and he is the greatest manager in the history of the Gaa. It's all about young talent coming in to refresh and strengthen what's already there. I am genuinely hopeful the 17 to 20 year group will provide us with a few really good ones,but it will take time. The loss of Hugh Lawlor is a frightening prospect and leaves the '26 management team in an unenviable position. Whoever has the job doesn't need to act the ape on the sideline to impress me and that is not a dig at Liam Cahill who has been through the ringer the past few years and deserves the success he has had for surviving the crap that was thrown at him primarily by his own.

The biggest issue wasn't the scoreboard, the biggest issue is we had little impact off the bench to replace players out on there feet and we won't win an All Ireland with Paddy Deegan and Riche Reid. Same old story every year we get to the latter stages the 2 lads just not good enough at the highest level unfortunately

You will find if you look back at the final 5 minutes we definitely were denied at least extra time ,only KK would take it lying down, should never happen.. The point about the bench is exactly ithat...a dearth of new blood of the calibre needed, but I believe that will change in the next 3 years.

We will find players to replace them, but the 2 lads are constantly caught out in the big games. We have the nuclease of an excellent team there we just need to tidy up the backs, we lack pace and a presence at 6. We also badly need new blood with 10 minutes remaining, not to replace players playing poor but for a change in tactics or replace players who are spent after 60mins, John Donnelly and Billy Ryan will be another year older in 2026 and have had a great year but after 60 minutes the 2 lads are out on their feet.

At this time of year i would prefer to concentrate on the club tbh.

Players need to be given time and a run of games, even if they play poorly. Give them a few more chances. Like I can't be the only one who'd barely heard of Andrew Ormond up to 4 months ago. Got his chance, took it and is now an all Ireland winner and possible all star. Conor Leen last year with clare another example. Hard to say we don't have the players when you see the strength and competitiveness of the club championship week on week.

Definitely like to see Ian Byrne get a run of games in the 26 league. Billy Reid another with lots of potential. I'm not from glenmore BTW.