Kilkenny GAA Thread Part 3 **MOD NOTE POST 1***

The Rower were obviously out to avenge last year's league result where the Boro ripped them apart and won pulling up by 15 points. The Rower tore into the Boro in the first quarter and rushed to a 0-6 to 0-2 lead inside ten minutes. The Boro started to get back into it a bit before the water break with it being 0-7 to 0-4. The Boro got on top after this but it was still a tight affair as the torrential rain came down but the Boro got to the half a point ahead 0-11 to 0-10. The first half was highly entertaining with the Rower half back line dominating and setting up attacks at will. Boro's defence struggled to get on top but eventually got to grips with the challenge and started setting up good opportunities for the forwards both sides had shots on goal saved with James Logue in the Rower goal pulling off a few beauties.
The second half started with misfortune for Richie Leahy as he pulled up with a hamstring tear in his left leg within 20 seconds of the restart. I can't imagine Leahy will play much part in the remainder of their league campaign. The Boro got on top here and scored a few points to push the lead out to 13 but the rain was making play difficult. The Rower completely lost their shape up front when Leahy went off but their defence was doing it's job and limiting the Boro opportunities to score. The Rower had just pulled back a point with a free from David Kelly when Rower midfielder Ciaran Ryan hit Andy Gaffney late off the puck out. Ryan got a yellow card. Within 20seconds of the restart Ryan was at it again and got a second yellow and the line. David Kelly got another free directly after the sending off to bring it back to 0-13 to 0-12. This would be The Rowers final score of the game and the game was effectively over as a contest and as the rain eased off the Boro started to convert the opportunities they were creating. The Rower defence still did well to limit them from points but in the final quarter the Boro applied the pressure and after a jinking and mazy run through the defence and around defenders Bill Sheehan laid off the perfect pass to the on rushing Chris Kavanagh who rifled the ball to the far corner. Directly from the puckout the Boro secured the ball and again a pop pass to a thundering Aidan Nolan who charges through the defence from 50+ yards and batted the sliotor past James Logue from the edge of the big square. It finished out 2-16 to 0-12.

Could have been a different match but for the rain and the loss of Leahy and the the red card. However I think the Boro were always the fitter team and once they started taking their chances there was only going to be one winner. The Rower fought really hard and the score line was probably unfair to them but when you play most of the second half with only 2 men inside and losing your best forward it was always going to be tough. The best players for the Rower were Leahy, Pat Lyng and James Logue. The Boro had a great performance from Shane Stapleton in midfield with 4 from play and 6 frees along with it, Buckley looked back to his best and organised the defence and delivered great ball forward. Bill Sheehan and Mark Nolan caused plenty of trouble up front throughout and Aidan Nolan finished the game very strongly.

I think the Rower will struggle without Leahy but won't be easy beat either, I'd suspect Clara and the Vat would have too much for them without Leahy. The Boro were rusty but seemed to blow off the cobwebs by the end. They'll have a tough test against GBC and then a very stern test against Comer to finish out the group phase. The should win at least one more and might win both if they play to their ability. The Boro were missing a lot of players with niggles and I would hope as they come back they'll get stronger but injuries are going to be the issue for all teams. For instance the Boro were missing 4 starting backs last night and another 4 or 5 lads who were starting a lot last year too. I'm sure the Rower were missing a few as well and I think the teams with the strongest panels will go the furthest in this year's championship.

I think the teams with the strongest deepest panels are O'Loughlin's, Dicksboro and maybe Clara and the Bridge. They might not have stars but their all strong teams who are not greatly weakened when they loose 4 or 5 players.

Anyway great to get the first round of games under the belt and get a feel for where teams are the next round will tell much more.

big_drive wrote: »

Out of interest just wondering where the Cork influence you refer to is coming from?

Isn’t their trainer a Cork man??

Stopitwillya wrote: »

He is a former Waterford senior hurler from Lismore. Trained cork teams to senior titles down there.

Sound. So I guess it’s a Waterford style they’re playing at times so.

Comerman wrote: »

He’s around 31, Some display from him yesterday.

Was brought in when about 20 0r 21. I'd say the " Comer Lifestyle" didn't tie in with Cody.

Comerman wrote: »

Comer lifestyle??? Do you know something about Murphy that I don't? Do tell

Apilogies to MMurphy.I probably meant temprament.The man is too relaxed to be an intercounty hurler. Fabulous stickman though.

Any word on Colin Fennelly and the 2 Mullans injuries?

I didnt see any hurling this weekend but the boro had a big win over a usually tight defence from comer.the boro took over in the second half and kept michael murphy quite.
The bridge had a good win over tullaron.Blanchfiekd got a goal and a few points.the bridge seemed to have swapped the two Morrisseys with enda now in attack but they have a good spine and could be there abouts after dissapointing last year.
Clara beat the rower who lost joyce with an eye injury and joe lyng with hamstring.Leahy seems to be in trouble and could be gone for a long time.
The shamrocks got the job done and are up and running.
Vegas got their first win over ballycallan who are struggling and badly missing billy ryan.John walsh the go to man for vegas
A lot of high scores over the weekend and great weather for hurling.its a pity they cant let a few more spectators in.

Are these games next weekend or 2 weeks?Would expect big wins for Ballyhale and Bennetsbridge,Mullinavat should have enough for Danesfort.Tullaroan n Comer to me would be the most evenly balanced game but reckon Comer will do enough.

kilkennyboy wrote: »

What format are you using. Are bottom 4 not in relegation simi

All teams bar the top two in each group are not safe from relagation . You loose First Rd you out of championship and into relagation semi final

blackcard wrote: »

kilkennyboy wrote: »

What format are you using. Are bottom 4 not in relegation

3rd vrs 6th
4th vrs 5th
Both groups
Open draw for losers for relagation Semi Finals

Are we hanging by a thread to get club fixtures finished
Few reports of cases in clubs.this break could be longer than planned

bamayang wrote: »

Hypothetical question: Say a club has to 'stand down' activities for a week due to a case or two in the middle of championship Would there be a walk-over or delay the match?

Currently one of the junior camogie teams are stood down. Hoping for all clear this week.1/4 finals have been moved back a week to accommodate.

Cornerback1 wrote: »

Will Blanchfield be the new Colin Fennelly for KK i.e. same role at full forward? - bustling target man who wins frees and scores goals.

I remember the goal he got in PP V Dublin a few years ago that won the game plus I saw him for Carlow IT in the Fitzgibbon Final this year: he scored a goal was was a real handful until he went off injured with the hamstring.

Blanchfield seemed to put on a couple of stones with strength and conditioning in his first winter training, with the county,he lost pace and it seemed to affect his confidence. Looks trimmer now and he was in the top 3 forwards at club level last year. I would still like to see him lose another stone as he is well built anyway and I would like to see him get a good run with the county, still only 23