Kilkenny GAA Thread

I think that's all fair enough

Wexford only scored three points from play they obviously had a strategy to foul them further out the field where Sean O Brien couldn’t do damage. Clare will be a hard task in the semi final. What’s the story with Galway, limping along into a semifinal? Are they going to be a danger yet.

they will always have the flag upside down from now on as a good luck charm.

I've disagreed with you on some of your points but you're spot on with this post

You've missed the point. Everything is connected. If you dont see that......we are already on the back foot. Training, facilities, S&C, fund raising, fixtures scheduling, knowledge of rules and eligibility, the sponsors, opposition analysis, communication with clubs, minding the playing surface of our county ground.

It was one glaring example which was on show for whole country this time though.....there are plenty of others, but this was one I was particularly sore about because we went out of our way to ensure a commemorative all ireland final and mark the occasion where everything should be perfect. We done great on the day(obviously issues with some public facilities like toilets aside as pointed out by others), but dropped the ball in the lead up regarding gig/fixture schedules beforehand not taken into account. To me that's a drop in standards and no one owned up.....with many saying....its grand.

Just look at Offaly....getting their house in order. Getting a little success after sorting standards across the organisation of hurling. Even they are still making mistakes (re tickets).....but they hold hands up when they're made, and it wont be made again I'd say.

But I know not everyone will agree with me.

I won't comment on it anymore. I hope lessons learned going forward.

No one could predict 9 months of rain. The concert was set over 6 months earlier. Most May's your eye would be cut out if you with the dust and they would be watering the pitch. Give it a rest I was in the park for all 3 events. All 3 were great occasions and much needed funds for the county board and local businesses.

As far as I know nobody on the county board is on a salary? There are many things they can do better, but they do a lot right. It's easy come on here and slate them , have you ever considered taking on a role yourself. You sound like you would move mountains.

if only I was given a chance.

As an Offaly fan, it was a really joyous occasion in Kilkenny on Saturday last.
Supporters young and old hugging, cheering and crying at the final whistle.

I’ve seen comments on Facebook and Twitter saying we’ve gone overboard, but to a small county like ourselves, Saturday meant absolutely everything.
I met people on the pitch afterwards that I’ve never dreamt I’d see at a match and older people who were probably consigned to never seeing the Offaly hurlers win another All Ireland.
And as you all know too well, there just isn’t anything quite as sweet as beating Tipp!

On the issue of the venue, I must commend Kilkenny GAA.
Ample stewards and policing in force throughout the game and afterwards. There were a bunch of 10-12 young stewards who walked across the pitch at half time, looked perhaps like members of the Kilkenny minor team? If so, fair play to them for helping out.

With regards to the pitch, it wasn’t in great shape at the O’Loughlin Gaels end and that was very clear watching the game back on TG4 player.

However, everything else makes up for that and there is no other venue that would have suited it better.
However, the national anthem singer left a bit to be desired. 😬
The atmosphere was amazing and I think Thurles is the only place that could have rivalled it.

I find the Gaelic Grounds to be a rather soulless venue.

Laois GAA had set the bar extraordinarily low for hosting a big game at the Leinster u20 final last week, so fair play to Kilkenny for not making the same mistakes.

I hadn’t been to Kilkenny city too many times before, but it really is gorgeous. The pubs and restaurants will surely be hoping for our return soon enough. O’Loughlin Gaels stewards said that they parked approx 800 cars @ €5 a pop. I’d imagine there bar sales were even higher.

With regards to next Saturday in Croke Park, I’d be interested to hear who Kilkenny people will shout for in the Joe McDonagh? Would the Laois rivalry be intense or would the fanfare around Offaly and our relative success (compared to Laois) sway people away from us?

Kilkenny hurling has been very much admired in Offaly during our barren times.
We would always have shouted for Kilkenny against most (or all) teams and an interview with Adam Screeney from last week echoed this where he said he was brought up going to Kilkenny games and chasing TJ’s autograph.

Maybe they could blame him for 'destroying' the pitch also ?? seeing that he was there , dancing in the park ……….

Looks like John Donnelly is out for the rest of the season which is a disaster.

I heard he needs a operation but he is going to try hold it off and he will play. Mikey Carey in bother alright. Getting a scan today he is in a boot

Shane Murphy should come back to replace Carey with Eoin Wall in the forwards if John Donnelly iis missing. Leaves us very bare on the bench with Wally and Harry Shine as forward subs and Fogarty plus Buckley subs in the backs

Very hard to see mikey Carey being fit which is a big loss because he has pace something we lack. Lyng should learn from last year and not make a few changes for one position upsetting the whole team. Deegan is mr versatile and he could slot into wing back although I would like to see molloy get a go if he was fit and leave deegan midfield. I don't think corcoran has the legs because Dublins game is all about running and pace is needed. Donnelly will play is what I'm hearing and Mullen will also be fit. Tom phelan could be under pressure. This is a must win match for kk and avoiding Cork. Great that marty Murphy is called in although he is only starting the leaving cert tomorrow I'd be surprised if he hasn't a long future with kk seniors

Next year's u20 crop should be decent again. Offaly of course will be favourites and although they might seem meaningless competitions I watched the u19s and they have a few good hurlers and although a big jump the 17s are one step from getting to a all ireland. We will have chaps getting exposed to adult hurling this summer who could thrive. Brian dowling is getting success and should be in the running for minor or u20 he knows most of the chaps from kierans. Tom mullally is a top class coach and before he is snapped up he should be contacted to see is he staying with cw. There's plenty ex hurlers unproven yes but they have to start somewhere and gortha,Brian hogan,Richie power,Michael rice,paddy mullally,conor phelan,herity,eddie brennan and many more are involved here and different counties,club and county so Richie hogan is one I'd get involved. The u20 is a attractive job without the big money and id be surprised if lads wouldn't take this with the big job in the pipeline in a few years. It's not like years ago lyng won't be there for 20 years.

Interesting to hear Richie hogan recently talking about drennan how he might be better suited to center forward.its an awful pity he has slipped down the ladder he was our best u20 player 2 years ago he is a good bit down the pecking order now but he is still young to be fair we will have to have more patience.