Kilkenny GAA Thread

It was but I wouldn't be into doing something similar as payback. That's not the way ballyhale do things.

Not sure what purpose that would serve?!

Ripped off a good friend of his and then tried to blame it all on the wife.

He's an out an out prick and showed no remorse or effort to pay anything back.

He surely paid back his victim, neighbour and friend by now?

Largely agree with your assessment.

What I worry about with Darragh Corcoran at centre back though is the two teams that made the AI final played with roadrunners at centre forward, Andrew Ormond and Shane Barrett. Invariably teams copy the most successful teams (probably see Eoin Cody do likewise for KK or Adam English for Limerick). So more likely than not, Darragh won’t be suited to marking those type of players.

For my money, Mikey Carey is the best choice there given his recovery pace, physicality and aerial ability. Probably needs to temper his attacking instincts though. But at least you know that teams won’t be able to make runs down the middle too easily.

It’s a pity that Adrian Mullen is so injury prone as I think he’s ideal for centre back if he had a run at it (remember that John Conlan rarely ever played there for his club before becoming Clare’s centre back and his first competitive game there, they lost to Antrim).

In terms of the other positions, if Huw is gone, Darragh Corcoran or Padraic Moylan look the best candidates to take his place. Both have the physical presence for the position and are very steady on the ball. Moylan probably has a bit more skill but Darragh is probably more ruthless.

For cornerbacks, Ivan Bolger kept Darragh McCarthy fairly quiet in the AI u20 final when the match went very much against us. I think he’s an ideal IC cornerback in that he’s fast, strong and rarely makes a mistake on the ball. Peter Connellan, Killian Corcoran and Timmy Kelly should also be looked at during the league. I think with cornerback you can start lads earlier than any other position at IC level as you need pace and the less scar tissue you have the better. But it does have a shorter shelf life as you don’t tend to see to many lads get to 30 before they’re dropped or moved on from. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Sean Finn, Paul Murphy, etc were outstanding cornerbacks early on but found it tougher as the years went by.

For the wing back spots, David Blanchfield will hopefully come back to form and make the right wing back spot his own. If not, Gearoid Dunne should be looked at. Shane Murphy should get a run at left wing back. If it doesn’t work out with him, I’d like to see Cathal Beirne given a run there as it could be a good option if teams drop their half forward line deep and we have to go short on the puckout and run out from deep. He has the pace to take on lads and it might actually open up space on the other side if teams have to gameplan for it.

To be fair my knowledge of the aftermath of the case is not definite. Maybe there has been a payback but I haven't heard that to be the case.

As mentioned, we all make mistakes in life and shouldn't define anyone for the rest of their life if they are genuinely remorseful. Just surprised how quick it was all put behind by clubs and county teams in Kilkenny

Usually this time of the year you would hear of players being dropped and retiring. I know niall rowe isnt playing soccer with newpark it is because he is in with kk but zach is playing with fort rangers so does that mean he isnt going in with kk? Hurling wasnt great but that could be improved. A great athlete who might of done a stopping job on a corner foward. Owen wall isnt going back in as far as i know. As others have said from midfield up kk arent too bad but its 1-7 that needed surgery. Huge difference between club and county as we know but corcoran has being the best 6 at club level this year and deserves a go. Game has changed but you would hope with eddie and niall structurally might be better set up. Dissapointingly wall and doherty left after one year and didnt have the same influence they hoped to get. Dereks hand is forced with huw going soon. Tommy and harry both doing well with their recovery and all going well should see gametime in a kk jersey. Few fowards like ian byrne,liam moore,and one of the most promising underage fowards in the county patrick lacey could put pressure on the fowards. Hopefully oisin knox is helped with his recovery in kk because he has had some good years with vegas.kk spent years trying to find a midfield pairing so i definitely wouldn't be changing that. I think most will agree from 1-7 changes need to happen. Ttown last year and shamrocks this year really went after deegan and identified him as a weak leak. A versatile whole hearted player but imo kk cant have him and richie on the same line.derek has being very loyal to codys team and has to put his stamp on this team heading into his 4th year. He has big calls to make starting with goalkeeper. Puckouts have being atrocious but scruff admitted himself he let balls past him he usually wouldn't. His confidence probably affected by the poor puckouts. Tallis needs to be given plenty of league time. Geroid dunne definitely could get a run in the backs and conor macmahon has a bit if cutting in him. Paddy langton probably lacks a bit of pace but is also in there. Derek will have to do something he hasnt done in 3 years and thats drop established players and let young lads make mistakes.moylan is the obvious candidate for 3 but teams have often tried covert wing backs and they might prefer to try mikey at 3. Bolger neary and killian corcoran will all hopefully get a run. Dunne,mcmahon,david barcoe,daragh corcoran,mackinassey,eoghan lyng,langton,padraig Dempsey might all get a look in this line.pity about daire o neill. Anthony ireland has had a great year and joe healy could be a longer term project although number 6 for paulstown was also very good