Kilkenny GAA Thread

On which subject, does anyone know what is the story with Hogan?

Is he fit? He was listed in 26 in programme for Leisnter Final but def wasnt togged out.

I cant see us winning an AI with recent forward line ups (too many average players). We would need at least one of the younger subs (Drennan or Clifford) to catch fire and at least one of the older subs (Walter or Hogan) to do likewise.

Ref the forwards discussion - We lost an all ireland with a full forward line of DJ, Henry and Charlie Carter.

We didnt actually, Ken O' Shea started corner forward in 99.

Only time we went Carter, Carey and Shefflin as FF line in an AI, they bagged 4-9

Notwithstanding the above, I really like your posts

Clare injury list from listening to Jamesie O'Connor on Off the Ball with Herity

John Conlon- concussion, would hope he'll be back

Conor Cleary- touch and go with his shoulder (you'd imagine a heavy shoulder/tackle from any KK man and he'd be in trouble)

David McInerney- a knock (you'd assume he'll make it)

Aidan McCarthy- quad injury that isn't healing as expected (unlikely)

Shane O'Donnell- rolled ankle (should be fine)

So in reality you'd be expecting A McCarthy and C Cleary to miss it. If they start they probably won't see it out. I'd say the other 3 will make it and start the question is will they all be 100%.

Our own injury list is clearing up 🤞

Adrian Mullen- stitches out and expected to play

Richie Reid- over his concussion but had a quad issue the last day should be good for the semi

Mossy Keoghan- has done both hamstrings in quick succession neither terribly bad by all accounts but leaves him very vulnerable to either one going again the next day if he plays. If he plays you'd have to start him and not waste a sub bringing him on and then having to replace him 10-15 mins later when it might go.

Mikey Carey- doesn't look like he'll be hurling again this year.

So of our 4 out I'd expect 3 to play or be ready to play with the other totally ruled out.

The injury lists are going to dominate all the talk around these All Ireland semis and what the loss and possible performance level of these returning players might be. If Clare and Kilkenny have all their players fully fit I think it's a very 50/50 game but obviously I'd shade us but only barely. If either list changes from the above, like Conlon is missing too I think it throws the game in Kilkennys favour massively. Likewise if Adrian is missing and say Conlon plays then I'd really fear for us. There will be no end of rumour and innuendo in the next two weeks and we'll only really know about 20 mins before the games who's actually starting and 15 minutes in if it was the right call to start these recovering lads. If the injuries work out as above I'd say we should do it just.

On those saying there is probably more pressure on Clare to "get revenge" for last year, I'd totally agree. It won't be much at the start but might play on them and niggle at them if things aren't going there way and Kilkenny get 4-6 ahead. The Clare defence without Cleary is not the hardest full back line to breech, I think with players like Cody, TJ, Mossy and Walter in there they could cause havoc. If Conlon and McInerney were missing too it completely guts their defence and if we lost we'd be scratching our heads and roaring on here about the uselessness of our lads and our management. If those 3 big physical men are missing from the Clare backs we have to win and win well. We'll also need to figure out David Fitzgerald, Shane O'Donnell and Tony Kelly, when they run at teams they cause havoc. If we can pressure the Clare backs into long aimless ball we'll be 80% the way to a win. It's all easy when you write it down🙄

Carey's season is over for Cats but Mullen may yet play a part

Gaelic games

MICHAEL VERNEY

DEREK LYNG will be without Mikey Carey for the rest of the inter-county season as the Kilkenny defender faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Carey, who started last year's All-Ireland SHC final defeat to Limerick, only returned to the squad in late April, having initially taken the year out to travel before being named to start in the Leinster SHC final. An 11th-hour setback meant the Young Irelands clubman was unable to take his place in the match-day squad, though, and sources close to the camp have revealed his season is now over.

Attacker Martin Keoghan also faces a race against time to feature in their All-Ireland semi-final against Clare on Sunday week after limping off early in their epic Leinster final win over Galway.

The Tullaroan forward, however, is understood to be losing his fitness race for the Banner clash.

Lyng's squad spent last weekend on a training camp in Fota Island, with talk swirling around Noreside in the aftermath that Adrian Mullen could play some part before the season's end. Mullen shattered his thumb against Wexford last month, but a miraculous return is not out of the question for the All-Star forward.

He’s spot on though, Mossy struggling with the hamstring not settling down as quickly as hoped. Hard to imagine he could be 100% fit even if fit enough to play some part.

Of course he's spot on. He's reading here.

He is very frustrating..I keep waiting for him to click too..clare might suit him, if he got a run at that defence he might just do damage

I don't think drennan has shown enough aside from frees yet to justify starting..depends on how they are going in training too..

Mossy is another who would cause clare problems if fit..definitely goals to be got against that full back line

Ryan's best game last year was against Clare so I would give him one very last last last chance. We'll need Deegan's pace at 7 against Clare I'd say but not in the final. Something like:

Eoin

Mikey - Huw - Tommy

Davy - Richie - Paddy

Adrian - Cian

John - Mossy - Tom

Billy R (or Billy D) - TJ - Eoin

Great post. Sums up my thoughts on both players mentioned.

Hopefully it clicks for Billy i have been hoping he will turn it on all year, but now would be the perfect timing.

If we are lucky enough to win on Sunday, Deegan at 7, facing either Hegarty or Mannion in AIF, both of whom have burned him badly in recent years?

Deegan is a lion-hearted player but he surely cannot man a defensive position for Kilkenny in a major championship match again, it would be a demonstration ot the old truism "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result"

Stephen Bennett destroyed him for pace in the 2020 AI semi final and Bennett is not the quickest of players. Exposed badly against Cork also a year later.

What was it then?