Kilkenny GAA Thread

Congratulations to O'Loughlins. They just got the better of a very tight battle. Match was exciting and it was very hard fought but I thought it was very scrappy with some spells of poor play from both sides. Paddy Deegan was probably man of the match with some of the scores he got including the winning point and O'Loughlins defence held very well for the most part. Mikey Butler was doing the man marking job on Adrian Mullen and that was a real tough battle for the two that spilled over a bit tbh with both slightly lucky to stay on the pitch because if the ref had spotted all of their off the ball niggles, they'd have been off. Butler had the better of it for the most part although the few times Mullen got free he did some damage. TJ had some moments of class but he also had two crucial misses in the 2nd half. Colin Fennelly and Paddy Mullen did very little. Owen Wall showed some flashes of quality.

Hard to know how OLG will do outside of Kilkenny, their defense is very strong but that attack is lacking a bit of top level quality.

Huge congratulations to both teams who gave it everything. Shamrocks came so close ( despite missing 5 key players). O Loughlins were brilliantly led by captain Mark Bergin and all around him responded. Worth mentioning in this current era of putting management teams together that O Loughlins always keep everything internal. Superbly marshalled by Brian Hogan and Co…… Nine senior finals have followed since 2000, five victories and no silly money paid out

Great result for O Loughlin Gaels. Probabky deserved. The winning point was a free out though.Deegan took at least 12 steps with the ball in his hand.

If you think that is good refereeing then God help hurling.

What we all want is consistency from refs.

Now that club championship is over , what players have put their hand up for a place on the county senior panel .......

A tough opener for O Loughlin Gaels in Carlow against St Mullins.

Carlow teams tend to do well at home in the Leinster SHC club.

Derek Lyng had a large panel throughout the year, with all those players having a year of conditioning under their belts at this stage.

Some of the club players who performed well are unfortunately on the small size and would most likely be brushed aside at county level. That's the way the game is gone.

It's a challenge for Lyng along with the fact that some players did well early on in the league only to fade away in the latter stages when their teams stalled or went backwards. He won't please everybody despite his best efforts.

I presume we'll hear of retirements in a few weeks after the team holiday.

Will be up against Mount Leinster Rangers. They were fairly convincing winners over St. Mullins in the final. Will be a tough one no doubt.

Lot of those players would be blown out of it intercounty level

Id like to see:

Tom Kenny (Has to be included, Boro's leader) Boro

Zach Bay Hammond ( A time at inter county level could bring his hurling to the next level) Ttown

Stephen Donnelly (Top forward, bring him in) Ttown

Marty Murphy (outstanding talent, Kilkenny need to get this man in quick, 6ft 5", great in the air, great striker and can move, Brian Kennedy was not able to touch him in the Junior final, still young at 17/18 and plenty to improve on but the best young player I have seen in a while) Tullogher

Cathal O'Leary (gifted striker of a ball, Kilkenny could get him fitter, potentially something to offer) Freshford

I did not get a chance to see Dunnamaggin this year unfortunately

Precisely.

As in Zach Bay Hammond, who was a sub for Thomastown this year?

Zach played nearly every game wing back this year but pulled his hamstring in training before the final. He had a great year so far and his hurling came on no end this year. Like a different player compared to last year. Zach has the pace and the power if his hurling keeps improving he might get a crack at the panel at some stage, still u21 this year.

Stephen Donnolly is well worth his place, he has had two really good county finals the last two years and has been racking up scores.

My bad, I only seen the league final versus lisdowney (I think he he came on as a sub) and the county final. He certainly looked a prospect a few years ago but went to soccer I think. Stephen Donnolly a good shout.

Think they're worth a shout in bringing them in, there's players of similar stature that have been in and got chances, I'd have them in on S&C programs and see how much it can improve them.

Think you're right on Zach Bay Hammond, he definitely has the athleticism and speed for modern inter county hurling and his hurling has improved a lot this year also!

I haven't seen much of Marty Murphy but I definitely think it wouldn't be any harm in bringing him in and getting him on a S&C program. Looking back at last years U-20 and looking back at the club championship you'd have to wonder how the likes of Marty and Lar Murphy, Killian Corcoran and Bill Hughes didn't make the first 26 for any game this year, I believe all are underage again next year so should make for a very competitive team next year.