Kilkenny GAA Thread

MfMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122713526#Comment_122713526

Where was Matt Ruth from?

Sorry to learn about the passing of Mick Crotty, though Galway people won't have fond memories of him on the playing field.

pmy.murphy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122716501#Comment_122716501

Mullinavat haven’t been an Intermediate side since 2012/2013 I think, hardly class them as an ex Intermediate at this stage

Conversations 3

Was Liam Blanchfield carrying an injury?

He was very quiet in that match

jamesbond2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122717279#Comment_122717279

They could have been mistaken for an intermediate team yesterday

Thomastown looked like the seasoned senior team that are up senior 10 years

Nedflanders02

I don't think it's a surprise that the 2 best coached teams have got to the senior final. OLG were comfortable without ever hitting top gear and the Bridge will be disappointed that, bar David Blanchfield, none of their big players stood up. The OLG backs were very comfortable with Huw Lawlor once again outstanding at the back, Jack Nolan and Jamie Ryan at midfield were also very good yesterday. A lot of talk about Mackessey, he's settled in well with O'Loughlins and looks a really good club player but I wouldn't be convinced that he'd be up to the standard of Liam McCarthy cup hurling but I do think there are probably worse hurlers than him on the panel at the minute. In the second game Thomastown were outstanding and made light work of a usually hard to beat Mullinavat. Their movement in the forwards had the Vegas lads all over the place and their intensity and work rate was top class. I thought McDonald and Jonjo were really good at midfield and their half back line was outstanding, as we badly know we are desperately looking for a new centre back at county level and I think we could do a lot worse than look at Eddie Donnelly who has been really impressive this year. Hopefully young Galway in the goal will be back for the final, he was really brave throwing himself down to stop the goal, hopefully the injury isn't too serious.

blackcard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122717505#Comment_122717505

He had his arm in a sling after the match, recently had his foot in a boot, never seen him so quiet so was probably injured

neverbet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122717761#Comment_122717761

Best coached perhaps, but definitely best both individually and strength in depth. Thomastown have been the up and coming team for quite a while and how far they go may well depend on how they manage without their goalkeeper and if Stephen Donnelly remains sound. Donnelly scored 1.10 in last years intermediate final and was also outstanding in Croke Park in the All Ireland final. He is however unfortunately constantly battling injury. That is not to say all their players have not been doing their stuff and John Donnelly is no 1. I just feel the above two( sub goalie and a fit Stephen) are vital to them if they are to take down OLG. Two outstanding teams to watch and a great final to look forward to.

Village87

I can't get over how classy Stephen Donnelly is. He is an outstanding talent. How old is he. If he is playing like this carrying an injury he must be some detail when fully fit. Another player that has to be in with Kilkenny next year .

Marrooned

I have asked before about how is one of the posters allowed to use the flag of Israel(star of David) of which I strongly object to, it is akin to flying the Swastika or the confederate flag of the southern states of America and it has absolutely nothing to do with Gaelic games. I would appreciate a reply that nothing has been done previously?

kilkenny34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122719408#Comment_122719408

It's a disgrace,they have become what they once hated...Nazis!Disgusting country,disgusting race of people.

kilkenny34

Srongly think the winner of OLG /Ttown will play Ballygunner in an all Ireland.Would fancy OLG think they are just that small bit stronger on most lines of the pitch,plus Ttowns record in finals recently has been dismal,you can say last year was the monkey off the back but a senior final is different gravy compared to intermediate.

droppingball

Think Stephen Donnelly is 25 now, had tough year with injuries. He really stepped up in big games for us including some of the finals that Thomastown lost.

This is a very young ttown team still with good few u21s and a fair few around the 23 yr old mark. They are a different team now and have a very a a completely different style of play and structure. If they they don't win in two weeks it will be nothing to do with their record but that O Loughlins are better.

OLG physical power this year is something else and will deservedly be favorites but their forwards are starting to struggle a bit, they only scored three from play yesterday but sure they will rectify that.

The problem for thomastown is Olg backs will choke ya, stop ya and even score against ya as they are so good. Hopefully we can find a way to be clever with our approach and give them a rattle.

Very proud of what these Thomastown players have achieved and the way they carry themselves is top class.

Gryire

Could be a Kilkenny player yet

conor05

https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/fionan-mackessy-to-explore-kilkenny-opportunity-says-new-kerry-hurling-manager-john-griffin/a1034034703.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawF6bCNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWLT_aJG_Y-GuHpnIFosteYip-SfIBfV0dVS3yfm4FScLU9Z26SSu16U-A_aem_IwVpPcsB5dyed5xyAL1gHw

Looks like Mackessy is on the extended panel for S&C winter gym work.

Whether he makes the final panel remains to be seen.

I wonder is Lyng looking to add a bit of size and power to the midfield area possibly for next year.

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122719408#Comment_122719408

Totally agree can't understand how sporting sanctions haven't been put on Israel like there was when Apartheid existed in South Africa and FIFA, UEFA etc. did to Russia after the Ukraine invasion.

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122719479#Comment_122719479

I wouldn't be so sure when it comes to Leinster, Kilmacud and Na Fianna are both good sides and Kilcormac in Offaly have backboned the successful underage county teams, they'll have a Ballygunner like grip up there in the next few years.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122719689#Comment_122719689

We surely have enough hurlers in Kilkenny without poaching Kerry hurlers.

kilkenny34

IIs There any chance the county board will ever make a structure on the old stand side so that the camera will actually face where there is a crowd in Nowlan Park?It's demoralising looking at the paltry crowd every game.

greenspurs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122719408#Comment_122719408

You need to report it, same as you would if you want to report a post …

greenspurs

Senior Camogie Final - Sunday 20 Oct at 1.15 in Nowlan Park.

Dicksboro Vs Piltown.

A repeat of the League final, and the Championship finals of 20 and 21.

hogans heroes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721258#Comment_122721258

Should be a cracker, Boro will have to get back to the heights of last year or Piltown will take their crown.

pjvalentine

.......

pjvalentine

. .

KK36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122717151#Comment_122717151

Noel Ruth is originally from Ballyragget.

jonniegoogle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721258#Comment_122721258

All Ireland club champions got to be favs. I know they're missing Clifford and Gahan but Doyle's injury is huge for Piltown.

Boro to win by 5.

Lynk

MacKessy leaving Kerry would be one of the worst things to happen to the game in recent years imo. He's Kerry born and bred, this isn't soccer, it's not like Wayne Rooney going from Everton to Manchester United, it's one thing changing clubs, understandable given work commitments. But he has no connection to Kilkenny. Kerry have some decent hurlers, it's a nightmare trying to get them all on a field at the same time, but this should never be allowed.

greenspurs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122727432#Comment_122727432

Hmm.

Doyle is a big loss, but recent form would suggest Piltown could do it.

Boro were sluggish against the Village in the semi, only scored 2-3 points in the second half, took 15mins to score in that half also
6-7 frees from Aoife Prender…

I think Piltown by 2-3 points

Deskjockey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122727881#Comment_122727881

It's 3 hours 5 minutes one-way (211 km to Tralee). So to tip up and down for training (round trip) is 6 hours 10 minutes and 422km. There's some easy motorway driving as part of this but plenty of brutal roads and stretches where you cant pass out for 5 or 10 km. And imagine Kerry are training at least two if not three nights a week.

So yes in an ideal world he would buy a helicopter and stay hurling with Kerry, but realistically he is too far away for that, so if it makes sense to the guy to try and throw his lot in with Kilkenny, good luck to him. He lives and works in Kilkenny now and if he sees his future here, then let's welcome him in.

jamesbond2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122727881#Comment_122727881

He isn’t the first and won’t be the last player to switch counties best of luck to him he’s obviously an ambitious young man and is a very skilled athlete has played Fitz gibbon and singers on and made both teams of the year

Now lives and works in kk it’s not a seanie Johnston situation

I think he just wants to see can he cut it at Liam mccarthy level and why not

Lynk

It just sets a bad precedent, this is not the case of him having a Kilkenny mother or relations, this is a fella who has live in kilkenny for 8 months and played for Kerry in the Joe McDonagh this year.

Does this mean players from all minor counties are free to go down to Kerry for the football or Dublin?

I don't mind players who are from the major counties who can't get on the panel helping out, but this isn't good for the game. It's making the rich, richer.

JJs Left Hand

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122730014#Comment_122730014

One hundred percent.

jamesbond2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122730014#Comment_122730014

I think it’s been happening for years with clubs in Dublin why should county be any different

I’m as traditional as the next person and I don’t think a player moving from a weaker county to a stronger one is good to see

I think it’s a part of modern life people change jobs careers teams counties more frequently loyalty is scarce

But I can understand a young skillful ambitious hurler wanting to test himself at a higher level than he has currently played at before

I don’t like him throwing in his lot with Kilkenny but I can see both sides of the argument

If a footballer from Westmeath moves to Kerry to work and lives there why should nt he be allowed throw in his lot with Kerry if asked

Like I don’t think mackesey was imported especially from Kerry to go straight in on kk senior team like say Seanie Johnston from Cavan to Kildare

Realt Dearg Sec

I definitely see the argument against his transferring out of the Kerry team, but like, he works and lives in Kilkenny. If he is expected to train with the Kerry team that's a good 20 hours a week in the car. It's possible he doesn't want to make that commitment (I definitely wouldn't do it), and if he's good enough there's no reason then that he should be barred from playing inter-county. He doesn't owe anyone that much of a commitment, especially if he has a family or anything like that (which I have no idea about).

FWIW I have only seen him play on the telly, but I'm not sure what the fuss is about, I don't think he would be on a match day squad. But I could be wrong and maybe he's been pulling up trees in matches I didn't see.

awaywithyou

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122730014#Comment_122730014

Think His father is from kilkenny.. I know his father is definitely not a kerryman... I'll check it out...

As a kerryman I don't really see the big deal with Fionan possibly hurling for KK... lots of good Kerry hurlers have left the kerry hurling setup over the years for many different reasons... rows with managements.. emigrated to America or australia, the setup is a joke and they leave, lads just not interested in playing with the county or lads like Paul Galvin who was a brilliant hurler but Kerry football was his and others like him priority..

darragh o connell left his club in kerry and transferred to Cuala in Dublin where he won all ireland club medals..he played a little with Dublin but never established himself on the team..

Another kerryman transferred to a club in wexford many years ago and was on the wexford panel when they won Liam McCarthy... that was a long time ago...

There will be a kerryman called Bryan Murphy playing wingback for Sarsfields in Cork County final on Sunday.. he was Kerry hurling team captain in 2020..

So fionan is not the 1st and won't be the last to try and make it at Liam McCarthy level... and I, and many others here in Kerry wish him nothing but the best as he is a really nice fella…

I would have to say that it's a sad reflection on where KK are at the moment that Fionan is in with a good shout of making KK panel... he wouldn't have come within an asses roar of it 10/15 years ago..

DiscoStew

What line of work is Fionan in? I think it was said on a podcast at one point (can’t recall which one) that someone from the OLG club essentially helped him get the job and mentioned about playing for them. I think they said on the show that Brian Hogan had said that in an interview even.
That wouldn’t sit overly easy with me, if true. It’s one thing to find yourself in an area due to a natural change in work, but for the club to contact you to set up a job and arrange a transfer.. it all seems very like tapping up in soccer transfers.

conor05

I will put up to you like this, the Kerry chap has had a far better club championship than Richie Reid and he played centre back for Kilkenny last year.

Lyng may or may not give Mackessy a couple of league matches to see is he up to that level, only time will tell.

Special Junior

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122731752#Comment_122731752

Working in Daltons. Had a job lined up with Tirlan but that fell through, presumably with cutbacks they are looking for.

jamesbond2022

From what I’ve heard there are plenty of players following an S&C program for Kilkenny with a view to having them up to speed in December when everything kicks off the net has been cast wide again that doesn’t mean that the likes of Mac Kesey or the others on the program will get playing time for Kilkenny I think people are jumping the gun a bit and slotting him straight into starting for kk

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122731983#Comment_122731983

Great, if we go back to the team of the last 7/8 years we are going nowhere, we badly need to freshen things up. That team that were bet by Westmeath at u21 level have been the backbone of the team for the last 6/7 years and have not been good enough and add in lads like Walter Walsh, Richie Reid, Conor Fogarty, Buckley etc who have been poor the last 5/6 years(Eoin Murphy, Lawlor, TJ obvious exceptions) we really need a shake up and hopefully we can see the signs of a new team materialising that will be a real force in 2/3 years.

ttowncat

Heard from a very reliable source that fionan is a part of lyng's plans. He wants him available as a back up free taker to TJ. Even the words 'build a team around' were used.

Exciting for the man involved but I'd agree that clubs and county finding jobs for lads a bit disappointing

hogans heroes

PIltown the form team and dicksboro have struggled with back to back,but I take the Boro by 3to retain their title.

Hurlingtothebone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122732158#Comment_122732158

Do you think Derek Lyng and Peter Donovan have the capability of building a team. I personally have my doubts. I still think we are a very badly coached team and the buck stops with Peter Donovan for that and if all rumours are true he's still in his position with Kilkenny. People say give him a chance but in two years he's done sweet.... all. Hasn't put any stamp on the team wouldn't go with young players when it came to championship.

A question for this forum if we were in Munster would we get out of Munster? Would we challenge for a Munster title ? Or would we be looking at a 4th place finish.

Another question what qualified Derek Lyng and Peter Donovan for the top job

Was it a U20 title?

Apologies if I sound negative but mostly what I see on this forum is discussion about players ability but I really think we have to look at management ability

Look forward to everyone's comments on my post.

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122732428#Comment_122732428

Going off Championship form last year Kilkenny would not get out of Munster, they would struggle to beat Waterford.

We drew with Carlow, a bad Galway team and struggled to beat Wexford and Dublin. We won the Leinster final well but Dublin were poor too. Clare hurled for 20 mins after Kilkenny got the goal and were much better.

We need to build for 2/3 years time not be bringing on Conor Fogarty or Walter Walsh when Clare are pushing up the pitch, this could have exploited with some pace but the 2 lads are too old and it really went against us unfortunately.

If we rebuild this year and take the good with the bad we will be in a strong position down the line if if we stick like we did the last year we will be in the same position in 2 years. I am surprised there is very little retirements/players dropped to date.

Look at Tipp the rebuild is underway.

Hurlingtothebone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122732529#Comment_122732529

TIpp have a manager in place doing that trying to re build

Not sure we have that

jamesbond2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122732158#Comment_122732158

The panel has gone awful stale the last few years we need the exuberance of youth young legs all over the field and hungry players

Try them let them make mistakes don’t just discard them after one poor performance

I’m not sure lyng is the man to bring us forward if we don’t get a coach involved who can implement a system similar to how olg or thomastown play as others have said on here there playing the modern game and how it’s played at inter county level

And they have done that in 2-4 years with thoose teams

conor05

Who needs to be let go from the panel and who needs to be brought in?

Paul Pogba

I heard from a very reliable source in Pat Carroll’s last Sunday night at 3am that Fionàn was tapped up by Phil Hogan to come to Kilkenny with the offer of a job he wasn’t qualified for, a car supplied by Lyngs and a house on the Bleach Road. A guaranteed spot on the Loughlins and Kilkenny team with the position picked by himself. The transfer figure he received was a six figure sum.

As opposed to making his own decision in life to move to a different county to work and choose not to do an 8 hour round trip 3 days a week back to his native county to play for them.

greenspurs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721258#Comment_122721258

Strangely, if its level at the end of normal time , theres 1o mins each way extratime,and if still level then a replay… and not straight to a reply as was outlined earlier ?

Village87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122732723#Comment_122732723

What was the draw to Kilkenny ? I'm sure there was equally if not more employment opportunities in Cork or Limerick. Would he feel he would not make the set up for those 2 counties or might he have to hurl for Kerry if he was that close to home ?

conor05

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41496473.html

Eoin Cody’s take on the whole scenario.