Kilkenny GAA Thread

12 seconds into the second half before they gave away a free

No doubt shine looks to be a very exciting youngster.Ive heard a nice bit of talk about him.We were trying to force too many goals that weren't on and the scoreline maybe wasn't fair on a brave Offaly performance.Their free taker was excellent.They have done good work at underage let's hope they continue.

I liked the look of killian doyle at midfield he was a good link man.Id be concerned about the lack of pace at corner back but this looks a very decent team.

Apologies, just frustrated that despite being a clearly superior team, we were only 3 points up with less than 10 minutes to go. I thought that a number of things were obvious at the first water break and it didn't seem like rocket science to put these right. No problem with any of the players, there are a number of promising lads and Harry Shine is a stylish hurler

In fairness to Shine he was ghosting all over the place and made clever runs scoring 1-07 from play and another 1-08 from placed balls is fair going. I'm sure he will face tougher tests but he will also take a lot of watching by any opposition which will hopefully mean easier opportunities for the other lads. I'm sure will probably have felt he left another goal or two behind him and a few of those frees were ones he would expect to get. Hopefully he keeps the head on the shoulders because I don't think the Boro ever had a forward like him.

Playing Dunne centre back although he stood out looks baffling given his underage pedigree as a forward. Won’t get away with it as the championship goes on in the same manner it cost county a minor All Ireland only a few weeks back.

I think as you say TJ is changing his game probably realising his acceleration is probably not what it was. TJ is turning into a provider for the others. He also takes so much watching that it opens up opportunities for the younger lads. If you don't watch him close enough he can still destroy in about 15 minutes. I don't think TJ is looking for as much scores himself and he is doing Kilkenny a huge service helping to bring on and nurture these young lads. Given some of the talent coming through we should be in a decent place when TJ does decide to leave not that I want to see him go.

As always my biggest concern is the S&C work not being done with our under age guys and we get away with this until minor but we fall behind hugely up to U20 and good minors aren't able to make an impression on the senior game until their 23-24. There are a few exceptions but if you look at Donnelly, Billy Ryan, Mossy, Leahy, Delaney, Tommy Walsh. It's probably only last year or this year that these lads have physically got to where they need to be for senior. If the conveyor belt is a bit stronger maybe you can afford to leave lads with this talent on the bench until their 23 but we haven't been able too. I just think with a proper programme that tracks lads from 13 through to about 23 giving them the right work for their build and position. Lads who don't make the minor panel for a year because their too young should be kept tabs on and his programme updated for that year until he's on the minor panel the next year and the same between minor and U20. They can be back in their clubs during this time but can't be forgotten about and be at a disadvantage when brought back in. Anyway, nothing new here from me banging the same old drum and hopefully some of this is being implemented now they have the underage gym in Kierans🤞.

I think its hard to gauge where we are really at.Every game is different and takes on a life of its own.Waterford very poor last week and could of lost to laois but were very good against galway.The one thing I do know Is we are on the opposite side to Limerick and alot of other teams would glady take our position.We look to have a better panel than last year and our subs have being very effective but it's from here on in where it gets serious.Its amazing now that 7-10 points of a lead isn't that huge anymore and can be wiped out if a team gathers momentum and get a run on the opposition.

We have to be concerned about our midfield and we badly need to get this sorted for the semi final.Im suprised we haven't tried maher here but adrian mullen will probably stay out here for the next day.

Conor delaney and mikey carey will probably push hard for spots in defence.Some of our forwards are a bit inconsistent we really need Billy Ryan,mossy and donnelly more consistent.Bergin and Alan Murphy have done very well when the game opens up.

Does anyone know how the development squads done over the weekend?

Think we are in for a cracking end to the Championship.

Limerick obviously look the team to beat but I think Cork, Waterford and ourselves have real momentum now too

You have to wonder whether Tipp's heart is in it from here?

They will feel they can beat anyone left bar Limerick, but do they want another day of misery at their hands in an AI final?

I have maintained for 2 years that Tipp's late surge versus Wexford might never have been summoned if Limerick were waiting in final instead of Kilkenny (who they rightfully felt they could beat), so for me, a golden chance awaits Waterford on Saturday.

Are people getting a bit carried away with Cork? Clare shot 18 wides and almost won with last puck.

Hope Dubs havea full compliment and give them plenty.

I think it's going to be us and Cork and Limerick v Waterford

Cusack and Derek Mc Grath getting a bit too giddy on "Munster dominance" last night, that sort of aul crap has a habit of biting you on the ass.

btw

We won the National League on Saturday!

😀

Did we not have to play galway to win the league final?

I think Murphy is better when things loosen up but I also think Bergin has nearly earned his chance at this stage. Maybe Billy will be better coming off the bench the next day when his pace could cause problems for tiring defences. Either way its apparent you have to have something in reserve for later on in games.

I'd also be surprised to see Delaney and Hogan start the next day. You have to remember with no club games that neither has played a proper game since the AI semi final 7 months ago. If Browne is out the next day then.id expect Carey to start as he was excellent when introduced against Dublin.

I think it would be a huge call to put Richie Hogan in midfield at this stage of his career and with his back issues. He has the calmness and vision to do very well there but the madness and swarm of players in there I don't think will bring out the best in Richie. Personally if he's fit enough I'd have him at wing forward. He can go back and do some of that work but can also drift into space and be picked out and no better lad to lash it over the bar. Saying all that i still don't see him starting. I would say he'll be on the bench and will see 20 odd minutes if in that good of form.

Delaney is probably a more likely option, heard he has been going well in training too. Still as other pointed out Mikey Carey has done his chances no harm and to be honest a lot could depend on the opposition we get after next weekend. I'd be a bit worried about Carey on some of the Tipp forwards where I think he'd be able for the running of the Waterford or Cork lads. We also have Darren Mullen and Joey as options too but the fact they haven't been given a run up to now doesn't bode well for eithers chances of starting. I think Darren still has a bit of an issue with his original injury that side lined him during the league, he can play if needed but would be a risk or would have been the last day. Hopefully he's recovered and is pushing hard for a spot. I think we'll see James Maher in there again on the other wing. I don't think James is the best defender in the game but his man will rarely get away from him and get too man clear shots off. I'd like to see him being a bit more dominant before the ball arrives but that will only come with time. We have plenty of pace in our back 6 and will need all of it against the teams that we will face. I think we're still susceptible down the middle when run at but a lot of this comes from the midfield and half forward not helping out deep enough at times. I think we need to keep the goals conceded to 1 if we're to get through the semi.

Tipp will love to play us as they have full belief they can beat us as they want. Cork seem to be getting a bit tougher but I think when the heat comes on they'll struggle again but they're coming hard and will take a lot of beating in a few years. Waterford have huge energy and we would have plenty of reasons to want revenge for last year and I don't think they would do the same thing again to us as I hope or defence would be ready for it. If Dublin get through we can't face them anyway.

I'd agree on the commentary - it's always very biased towards Gslway teams on TG4. Might be something to do with the fact that the station is based there....Otherwise you couldnt fault their coverage.

I'd also agree on Gslway not being all that - I have a feeling that O'Shea and McDonagh could struggle down the road at senior level. Neither is the biggest and size seems to matter a lot in the modern game. I think they are having slightly similar issues to us with developing players beyond the minor grade - albeit they are failing better than us if you catch me.

It all brings the abysmal failure of our U20s into sharper focus.

Sorry, that's not to say I'm ungrateful the level of coverage they give to underage GAA is sensational, along with the club coverage they provide.

Nemeton from An Rinné, west Waterford do most of the video work for TG4 and they did a lot of the club coverage for counties last year including Kilkenny.

Exactly. Without a doubt a terrible decision which will have nothing but bad consequences for Kilkenny and the GAA. For most players, they are simply giving the games up a year earlier when they finish u17. How does that benefit anyone? But it is actually worse for the players who have the interest to keep going. They are now expected to compete straight away at age 17 against hardened adults without any games amongst their own age group. A year makes a huge difference in terms of both physical and mental maturity and all players regardless of ability would benefit from that extra year at under age. The Leaving Cert is no longer an issue as most students are now 18 1/2 doing this exam and would be over age anyway. There is so much talk about development squads etc but it is all pointless if the game is not strong at club level and the decision to go back to u17 has and will do so much harm. It should be the number 1 priority for clubs and supporters to revert to u14, 16 and 18 which has served Kilkenny so well.