Kilkenny GAA Thread

I picked up the yearbook today, all the U15 match reports are from 2022, even the photos are labelled incorrectly, it's very sloppy editing and proofing.

Looking ahead to next year, any thoughts on a midfield pairing? We've struggled to bed in a consistent pairing, or even one, in recent years.

We certainly do need to keep our scoring forwards nearer to the goal and to stop wasting their scoring threat by playing them in midfield and beyond!

I'd rather see Carey and Blanchfield on the half back line. Clifford and Heary might work at midfield. What about Paddy Deegan, he might do a job there.

I know we're not allowed to use the "S" word in Kilkenny but Richie Reid would be brilliant at it. I just think that as an orthodox centre back he is too ripe for picking by a clever centre forward who plays out from him (like Lynch is the all ireland) but he's too good to leave off.

Would love to see Kevin Blanchfield work out at midfield. He's exactly what the modern game demands and Kilkenny needs. A selfless worker with brilliant energy levels. We never seem to have runners breaking through gaps and turning defences. Imagine the carnage he could cause if he got going through the middle with good forwards running ether side of him. Good user of the ball too. The one worry is he will be starting his senior career at 28/29 years of age. Is it too late? I hope not.

In fairness in big Phils presentation he made the point made above that it's a GAA Co Board and not a Hurling county board and the Co Board would have to do more to promote and encourage the other GAA sports and the camogie and ladies football if it wanted to attract more sponsorship as these high end sponsors are already looking for inclusion etc.

This might be a bit of mad call at this time of the year but I'll throw my hat at a starting(ish) 15 for next year, with options in certain positions.

Tallis

Molloy/Rowe, D Corcoran, M Butler

M Carey, H Lawlor, D Blanchfield

2 out of R Reid, P Deegan, K Blanchfield, C Heary, T Clifford, B Ryan

A Mullen, E Cody, T Phelan

TJ, L Blanchfield, J Donnelly

While Murph is an amazing shot stopper unless he can bring game management to his play, I'd plum for Tallis ahead of him. I think Tallis' puckouts are better from what I've seen and he's a good, brave shot stopper too.

Rowe was impressive in the league last year until he was cut down with Covid. Molloy has been excellent for OLG and brings real energy to the pitch. Tommy Walsh has been in very poor form with Tullaroan this year maybe he'll recover.

I think Corcoran was really impressive for Ballyhale at FB and I think he's more suited to there than the HB line. He doesn't have to turn as much and he's surprisingly fast in a straight line, there isn't many will get by him easy.

The corner and wings speak for themselves and I think if Huw had a sustained period at CB I think he could be a new Brian Hogan/Declan Hannon. He was tried there last year but I feel the experiment was ended just as he was getting used to it when we needed him FB.

Any of the 6 I've named for midfield could do a job, finding the right combination is key obviously. K Blanch and B Ryan will give you plenty going forward and Blanch is used to the role. I think Billy Ryans days in the forward line are over or it's from the bench. R Reid would give you a deep lying option and Deegan would too. Heary and Clifford will give you a bit of both and might be a good combination. I'd try combinations like Reid and K Blanch, Deegan and B Ryan, Heary and Clifford.

Strong half and full forward lines.

I'd have TJ and Blanch close to goal (a couple of bears in the square) and Donnelly exchanging with TJ as one drifts to the half forward line/midfield.

Sub options up front - Mossy, Drennan, G Dunne, C Kenny, Wally and whoever else puts their hand up during the league, there are a few interesting young lads in there but it's probably too early for most. From what I heard Liam accepted the offer to go in with the county panel but had to return to Australia to sort things out before returning. He will be back in Jan I think, if he's not back already. Kevin Blanch has definitely got a call in and could be a great addition. I had felt for the last 5+ years he deserved a spot but he wouldn't have fit with the way we were trying to play and maybe he still won't but he's fast and has a great engine on him, can take his own and set up scores. If we're to take on Limerick we need a solid 8 from midfield back, that changes little from the later stages of the league all the way to the final whistle of our final championship match.

Not a bad shout at all…. thought Jordan Malloy had a great club campaign alright. What about David Fogarty?….worth a try ? Good hurler but might need to build up physically.

Im also very reluctant to take Huw out of full back as he’s so safe there but haven’t seen much of Corcoran at number three.

Unlikely Richie Leahy or Conor Browne be back with Kilkenny next year I'm guessing.

Could we see the three Blanchfields play in championship next year for Kilkenny?

Who were the last 3 brothers to play in the same champ match for Kilkenny?

As far back as the famous Fennellys?

Jordan Molloy, David Fogarty and Joe Fitzpatrick from Dunnamaggin is in there too, I heard a few other names but I can't remember at the moment.

Brilliant all three clubs secured Leinster titles and with the county board getting their act together the future might improve. congratulations to all concerned.

..

RTE2 showing the Boro in camogie all Ireland final on Sunday also.

The line about helping out Roscommon’s Hurlers. He was with them for about 3 weeks in January and did nothing.

Offaly Camogie had a terrible couple of years.

Not to be completely negative about it because he’s one of the best players ever to have played, but I’m not sure he’s ready for the Ballyhale Senior Hurlers manager role yet.

From what I'm hearing this headline might be a bit premature.